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London, UK,
September 19, 2009 (SL Times) – As part of the UK-based team
coordinating election observers for the much-delayed presidential
elections in the internationally unrecognized Republic of Somaliland,
Progressio yesterday expresses its profound disappointment and concern
at news that the poll will be postponed indefinitely.
Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at University College London (UCL)
and Somaliland Focus UK say in a joint statement: “We hoped that the
[current political] situation in Somaliland could have been resolved to
set Somaliland’s democratization process back on track. Instead it has
become worse. With the extended term of [the incumbent] President, Dahir
Rayale Kahin, due to expire on 29 October and no constitutional protocol
to deal with this unprecedented situation, we have real fears for the
country’s democracy and stability.”
The statement continues: “We urge all stakeholders to come together to
solve this impasse, to ensure that a process can be put in place for a
legitimate poll, with as little delay as possible, but with genuine
commitment from all players and a realistic approach to the time needed
to ensure a smooth and proper political process.”
Somaliland’s National Electoral Committee (NEC) last week announced that
the much-delayed poll will not go ahead as planned on 27 September. In
recent days, violence has erupted on the streets of Hargeysa leading to
the deaths of three Somaliland citizens and the arrest of a number of
journalists.
Progressio’s Advocacy Coordinator for Africa, Dr Steve Kibble said:
“Somaliland has a long history of dialogue and consensus-building and is
often characterized as a beacon of democratization in Africa.
Somaliland’s leaders must now continue this tradition of meditation and
work to achieve a breakthrough.”
Leading Somaliland scholar, Professor Ioan M. Lewis said: “It would be
desperately sad if violent incidents were allowed to mar Somaliland's
unique reputation for democratic stability which so sharply
differentiates it from Somalia.”
The UK-based team, along with FOPAG (Forum for Peace and Governance) in
Somaliland, was invited to lead the election observation mission by the
Somaliland National Electoral Commission in January. The team has been
tasked with coordinating international election observers from four
continents and preparing a report on the conduct of the campaign and
poll following the vote. Support for the mission is being provided by
the UK government.
This week leading authorities on Somaliland – including notable scholars
and individual members of the election observation team – issued an open
letter to President Dahir Rayale Kahin and opposition party leaders
Ahmed Mohamed Sillanyo and Faisal Ali Waraabe calling for a “speedy
resolution” to the crisis.
Source: Progressio 18 Sep 2009
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