PM Roble, EU hail Somaliland senate polls, urge completion of exercise

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble has congratulated the six senators representing the northern regions of Somaliland who were elected yesterday in Mogadishu.

“Congratulations to the Senators who won today’s election for the BFS Upper House representing the Northern regions (Somaliland). I hope the election ends peacefully and transparently”, said Roble.

The European Union also lauded the Somaliland electoral process and called on the other federal states to wrap up their elections.

“The European Union congratulates the ongoing Election of the Upper House in Mogadishu. The EU also calls on the Federal Member States with remaining seats to conclude swiftly, and Somali leaders to meet their own commitment to the 30% women quota”, read the statement.

The elected senators are Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, Salah Ahmed Jama, Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar, Osman Abokor Dubbe, Layla Ahmed Ismail and Bilal Idris Abdullahi.

Even though the electoral process was viewed as fair and transparent, the public displayed its disappointment in the electoral delegates who resorted to wearing full-face masks, concealing their faces as they voted for the Somaliland senators in Mogadishu.