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HARGEISA, 20 July 2004 (Awdalnews) — Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin announced the country’s first parliamentary elections to be held on 29th March 2004, Somaliland press reported.
In a circular he sent yesterday to the two-houses of parliament, the National Election Commission and the Interior Minister, the President said that by determining the date of the elections he was executing his duties according to article 42 of the constitution.
The President ordered the parties concerned to complete all laws and formalities related to the election procedure before the polling date.
The announcement of the parliamentary election crowns Somaliland’s democratization process as the country has already held Presidential and local government councils elections in previous years.
Meanwhile, President Riyale yesterday blasted some local NGOs for engaging in politics and creating confusion and chaos in the country.
Supporting an Interior Ministry decision banning a public conference organized by a group of intellectuals in Buroa, Riyale said that the government would take a legal action against anyone who tried to torpedo the people’s will and violated the country’s laws.
Talking to the press, Riyale said “the people of Somaliland have decided to reclaim their sovereignty on 18 May 1991 in Buroa and have voted by an overwhelming majority of 97% in the referendum held on 31st May 2001 for the country’s withdrawal from the union,” re-iterating at the same time Somaliland’s rejection to be part of the ongoing Somali talks in Nairobi.
“The people of Somaliland should know that anyone who tries to doubt their will and decision is committing an act of betrayal against the nation,” he added.
He urged all the citizens of Somaliland to respect the country’s constitution and laws.
“We will not allow the country to be ruled by chaos and lawlessness and we will not stifle the citizens’ freedom of speech, but we will not respect anyone who infringes on the country’s laws,” he concluded.
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