Somaliland presidential candidate warns Supreme Court against declaring poll date

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HARGEISA: Somaliland presidential candidate and founder of the opposition Waddani party Abdirahman Irro has warned the supreme court against pronouncing itself on the fate of the delayed elections noting the moving would escalate further instability in the region.

Irro said in a tweet that the Somaliland National Elections Commission (SLNEC) was exclusively mandated to set election dates. Irro’s remarks come amid claims that the electoral body had written to the Supreme Court to announce an election date following the close to nine months delay.

“The only way out of the current political impasse in Somaliland today is through a consensus-based election roadmap by the relevant stakeholders. Only the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has the mandate to set election dates in the country, according to the country’s electoral laws,” Irro said.

He said the Chief Justice should not to ‘instigate a new conflict in the country at a time when Somaliland is struggling with serious security, economic, political, and social misfortunes that are causing uncertainties.’

The SLNEC announced September last year that elections would be delayed for nine months owing to “technical and financial reasons,” just two months before the elections for a new president in November.

Subsequently on October 1, parliament voted to extend President Muse Bihi’s stay in office by two more years sparking sharp criticism and violence that rocked the capital Hargeisa.

Sources say the Bihi administration wants elections for political organisations to take place first then presidential elections later while the opposition has demanded presidential elections come first.