Somaliland international partners urge political stakeholders to agree on a timely roadmap election.

 

For the first time ever, Somaliland's foreign allies have officially spoken out against the extension of President Bihi's tenure by the house of elders by two years.

The international partners emphasized the significance of a consensus-driven process that enables elections to be held as soon as possible in a manner consistent with the technical considerations laid out by Somaliland's National Electoral Commission, without specifically stating whether or not the mandate extension was appropriate.

In a statement, they urged the political stakeholders to work together constructively to agree on a timely roadmap for the elections for Somaliland’s democratic credibility and stability.

The declaration was made only a few days after opposition parties explicitly criticized the house of elders' decision to extend President Bihi's term by two years and stated they would no longer accept him as "a legitimate president" when his term ends on November 13. a step that would potentially spark another Somaliland political crisis.

On the other hand, Somaliland opposition parties have separately welcomed the international partners’ statement called on the country’s political stakeholders to work together constructively to agree on a timely roadmap for the elections. Underlining the importance of a consensus-driven process to expedite the election process with the technical consideration set out by the national electoral commission.

The Presidential candidate of the WADDANI party Abdirahman Irro said that his party take note and endorsed the international partner’s subsequent calls for ending the political stalemate which he said was orchestrated by the “ruling party”.

Abdirahman Irro added that the WADDANI party fully agrees and is committed to a clear consensus-based roadmap for the due elections based on the constitution, electoral laws, and the National Election Commission technical timeline.

On the other side, the chairman of the UCID party who is now on a medical checkup trip to UAE said the call from the international community could be the last chance President Muse Bihi to receive while he described him as a leader who intentionally breaches and violates the constitution.

A term extension of two years for President Bihi has turned into a political crisis following the rejection by the two opposition parties. It’s unclear if President Bihi will consider the call of the international community to hold the elections with the technical consideration set out by the national electoral commission.

Hajicami

Hajicami@blogspot.com