In Somaliland’s Quest for Recognition, President Bihi is the Choice
Less than three weeks to go until election day, President Muse Bihi has a good chance to be re-elected. I like President Muse Bihi because he is an unapologetic nationalist Somalilander who puts Somaliland interest first. That alone makes him an exemplary president of Somaliland Republic. Continue reading “In Somaliland’s Quest for Recognition, President Bihi is the Choice”
President Bihi Forbids Use of Public Resources for Election Campaigning
Ahead of the November 13 presidential election, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has issued an order that forbids the use of military personnel, government servants, and public property in election campaigning.
The directive, which was made public on Friday evening, directs government representatives to guarantee that political parties have equal access to government resources and the media throughout the campaign.
The Minister of Information, Awareness, and Culture was instructed by the president to ensure that state-run media provide fair coverage of political parties and groups. The Minister of Internal Affairs is also responsible for protecting public and candidate safety during campaign events and making sure that campaign venues are used fairly.
According to the directive, no government employees or public resources, including the military, may be used in electoral campaigns.
The order is issued as Somaliland’s official presidential campaign gets underway. With the recent resignations of two deputy ministers indicating a change in political allegiances, tensions are on the rise. Former members of the ruling Kulmiye Party, both officials have now sided with opposition candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), demanding a change in leadership.
Somaliland Government Rejected Mogadishu’s Fragile Authority Assertion Over Upcoming Elections in Somaliland
Hargeisa, Somaliland, October 04th, 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Somaliland strongly condemns the recent comments made by the Mogadishu administration at the United Nations regarding Somaliland’s upcoming presidential and political party elections. These remarks are baseless and reflect a continued attempt by an illegitimate administration to undermine the democratic rights and sovereignty of the people of Somaliland.
The administration in Mogadishu, which controls a fraction of its territory and is plagued by insecurity, with much of its land dominated by Al-Shabaab militants, has no legitimacy or authority to speak on the internal affairs of Somaliland. The so-called government in Mogadishu has failed time and again to hold any credible, transparent, or inclusive electoral process. It is laughable for such a regime—where no citizen participation or one-person-one-vote elections have occurred for decades—to comment on Somaliland’s well-established democratic system.
Somaliland, a nation with a proud tradition of democracy, will once again demonstrate its commitment to its people’s right to self-determination. The Somaliland people will elect their president and new political parties through free and fair elections in November 13 2024. The Mogadishu regime has no role to play in this process and no say over Somaliland’s future.
We urge the Mogadishu administration to focus on its own internal crises, restore security, and ensure the basic governance of its own territory rather than issuing statements on matters outside of its control. The Republic of Somaliland will continue on its path of democracy, stability, and development, and we will not allow any external interference to distract us from that goal.
In regards to laws, the Supreme Court does not give legal advice, but rather have a role in interpreting the laws. Continue reading “Somaliland: High Court Rejects NEC’s Judicial Review”