REGIONAL STATE CHECK: Expected poll postponed to June 2016 as Chief Justice is fired in Somaliland
Our new Regional State Check series seeks to provide an informed up to date understanding of the major developments in Somalia. We focus on the stories which make the headlines in the respective regional states aided by our team of reporters stationed in all parts of the country.
This month we take a look at Somaliland.
A breakaway, semi-desert territory on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland declared its independence from the larger Somalia after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991.
Though not internationally recognized, Somaliland has a working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency. The territory has lobbied hard to win support for its claim to be a sovereign state.
April 9, 2015: Somaliland Electoral Commission and opposition political parties announce an agreement on a detailed schedule for the implementation of the biometric voter registration noting that the exercise will be concluded within 9 months, starting July 2015.
April 9, 2015: Government authorities apprehend veteran cleric, Sheikh Adan Abdirahman warsame (Adan Sunne) in Hargeissa town. The government does not comment on the matter.
April 13, 2015: Government executes three convicted soldiers Ismail Abdi Ali, Abdi Ali Abdullahi and Mustaf Salah Samatar after being found guilty of murder.
April 13, 2015: Somaliland executes six convicted murderers at the Mandera maximum security complex. The names and charges are as follows:
1. Mohamed Daud Ahmed and Abdiweli Elmi Muse both for the murder of late Mukhtar Osman Warsame in Borame on 30th March 2008
2. Ilays Abdilahi Adan for the murder of Aden Abdi Mursal and Muna Ahmed Mohamed in Hargeisa on 26th July 2003.
3. Mohamed Ahmed Hirsi for the murder of his wife Farhiya Dahir Abdi in Burao on 10th May 2011
4. Ex-Police officer Mohamed Abdilahi Abdi Guleid for the murder of Hussein Mahmud Awale ‘Gamadeere’ in Qoton village Hargeisa on the 22nd March 2015
5. Ex Army serviceman, Abdirashid Hassan Omar for the murder of late Abdifatah Mohamed Soodani in Hargeisa on the 7th August 2009.
April 19, 2015: Somaliland president Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Siilaanyo fires Chief Judge of High Court Yusuf Ismael Ali on the grounds of complaints from the public and the alleged arrest of Human Rights Commission Chairman.
April 20, 2015: Ministry of Finance officials, Central bank, Major commercial companies and the two telecommunication companies of Telesom and Somtel hold meeting to deliberate on Mobile Money Transfer in a bid to Eliminate Use of Foreign Currencies as Legal Tender.
April 20, 2015: Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister for Ports warns Somaliland against striking deals with shipping and port operators without prior consent.
April 21, 2015: Clan fighting flares up in Taleh town killing five people and injuring five others.
April 21, 2015: Somaliland Electoral Commission announces presidential elections had been postponed to June 1, 2016.
April 22, 2015: Somaliland Army Units reach Taleh to intervene and reconcile two sub-clan militias who engaged gun battle a day before.
April 25, 2015: Somaliland’s bicameral parliament approves the sacking of the Chief Justice through a motion of parliament. Of the 124 elders from Guurti and MPs of the House of Representatives, 80 voted in favour of the motion while 32 voted against and 12 abstained. A replacement requires a vetting and approval by parliament.
April 26, 2015 Sacked Chief Justice Yussuf Ismail Ali holds press conference in the capital Hargeisa and claims that he was illegally sacked.
April 26, 2015: Mass traditional “rainfall prayer” is conducted in many parts of Somaliland following a call by the elders.