Hargeysa, (insidesomalia.org)-The ruling party in Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland has dismissed the opposition leader's comments about the upcoming presidential elections as "insults."

Ahmed Silanyo, the chairman of leading opposition party Kulmiye, recently told a crowd in the regional capital Hargeisa that President Dahir Riyale "must vacate" the office by mid-May.

An official statement from the office of President Riyale responded to Mr. Silanyo's allegations, accusing the Somaliland opposition leader of "fomenting fear" among the population.

"The President [of Somaliland] has stated that he is ready to hold free elections...but the decision of when belongs to the Election Commission," the statement read.

The statement accused Mr. Silanyo of "ignoring" a decision reached by the three legitimate political parties in Somaliland - namely, the ruling UDUB party, Kulmiye and UCID.

According to the presidential statement, the three official parties agreed to hold local government and presidential elections in July and August this year.

However, the presidential statement made no mention of the original election schedule, which slated presidential elections for May 2008.

The elections were postponed to complete the voter registration process, a factor being pressured upon the Riyale administration by foreign donor countries, inside sources said.

Somaliland, in northwest Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991, when clan warlords overthrew a military dictator in Mogadishu.

Hargeisa, Somalia's second-largest city, became the breakaway region's capital city and has been renowned for its relative peace.

No country in the world has recognized an independent Somaliland.

-

Source: Garowe Online

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment