Pretoria, April 17, 2004 (SL Times) – A delegation of Somalilanders who are on a visit to South Africa to observe the election taking place there, has met with South Africa's former President, Mr. Mandela. Similarly, members of the delegation also met with South Africa's current President, Mr. Mbeki. Somaliland's delegation to South Africa is composed of 16 people representing Somaliland's political parties, the election commission, women's groups and the press, which makes it the biggest African contingent of election observers monitoring the elections in South Africa. The South African election commission based in Pretoria issued cards identifying the Somaliland delegation as observers as soon as they arrived in their country, and right away the delegation started its duties. South Africans were impressed with the discipline and hard work of the monitors from Somaliland.

Somaliland's observers also met with Prof. Herbert Vilakazi (the vice-chair of South Africa's national elections commission), Commissioner Thoko Mpumlwana, Pansy Tlakula (a lawyer) and Ms. Louise
Olivier who is in charge of training.

Some of the events attended by Somaliland's delegation:

A discussion about the elections at the University of South Africa

A Meeting with a Muslim businessman, Mr. Abubakr and his wife (Sheikha Fadumo)

Meetings with Prof. Francis Kornegay, Mr. Chris Landsberg and Ms. Julia

An ANC Meeting in Johannesburg

A meeting with Somaliland's community in South Africa

Dinner in honor of Somaliland's delegation held by Somaliland's Representative in South Africa, Mr. Iqbal Jhazbay

In addition to providing Somalilanders more experience in running elections, the participation of observers from Somaliland should help in cementing relations between South Africa and Somaliland. It is also noteworthy that South African observers were the biggest contingent in Somaliland's election.

 

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