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Hargeysa,
April 01, 2009 – The two opposition parties in Somaliland, Kulmiye and
UCID, have rejected the new date set for elections by the house of
elders of Somaliland, Guurti. Mr Faysal Warabe, Chairman of UCID decried
that the Guurti does not have the authority to set the election time
table while Mr Silanyo altogether rejected both the time table set by
the Guurti and the extension made to Rayale’s term of office by the
Guurti.
On 28th March 2009 the Somaliland house of elders have given a six month
extension, the second within a year, to President Rayale’s term of
office which was due to expire in April 06h of this year. They have also
announced that elections should take place on the 29th of September
2009.
The Somaliland Election Commission has announced earlier this year that
they are unable to hold the Presidential elections that were scheduled
to take place on the 29th of March 2009.
Mr Sillanyo, the chair of Kulmiye Party, the main and largest opposition
party of Somaliland, stated that the Guurti does not have the authority
to set election dates and pointed out that it has hijacked the
responsibilities of the election commission. Mr Silanyo further added
that the extension to Rayale’s term was illegal and unconstitutional and
stressed that his party will not recognize Mr Rayale as a President
after the 06th of April 2009 when his term of office expired.
The Guurti have made a similar extension, a one year extension, to
Rayale’s term of office when the government announced that elections
cannot take place inn April last year
Political and regional observers fear instability after the second
extension to Rayale’s term of office. A diplomatic source who requested
anonymity in order to discuss his feelings frankly stated that they, the
European Union, has warned President Rayale of another extension and
have advised him to consult with the opposition parties and stake
holders.
Source: Somaliland Globe
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