Vanguard, Nigeria - Monday, April 14, 2003
CAMPAIGNING for the presidency of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland ends on Saturday, with three candidates promising peace and recognition by the international community. On Monday, more than a million voters will cast their ballots in the country’s first multi-party presidential election.
The current leader of Somaliland, Dahir Riyaale Kahin, is being challenged by candidates from two opposition parties. Mr Kahin took office last year, following the death of the long-standing leader of the breakaway republic, Mohamed Egal, in May.
Somaliland announced its secession in 1991, as the rest of Somalia descended into anarchy.
Mr Egal was elected president two years later, but the territory has never won international recognition. The three parties have given themselves names in the Somali language. They are: the ruling UDUB, or United Peoples Party, the Kulmiye party, which translates bringing people together, the UCID or Welfare and Development Party.The president’s main challenger appears to be veteran Somali politician, Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, of the Kulmiye party.
He was a major player in the united Somalia Government of Siad Barre in the 1980s. But he left to lead the Somali National Movement, which fought against Barre and ousted him from what is now called Somaliland.
During the campaign UCID candidate Feisal Ali Waraabe expressed doubt that the election would be free and fair. Although Somalia has yet to gain international recognition, delegations from the UK, the US, South Africa, Ethiopia and the European Union will observe the polls.
The Election Commission chairman has criticised the authorities for not handing over all the promised funds to supervise the polls. He has also expressed concern about a hostile atmosphere in the eastern areas.
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