Profound concern at indefinite postponement of Somaliland presidential poll, say election observers

18 September 2009
 

Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at University College London (UCL) and Somaliland Focus (UK) express profound disappointment at the indefinite postponement of Somaliland’s long-overdue presidential election

International development agency Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at UCL and Somaliland Focus (UK) today express our disappointment and  conc ern at the recent Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC)  announce ment that Somaliland’s long-delayed presidential election has now been  indefi nitely postponed.

The three organisations, along with FOPAG (Forum for Peace and Governance) in Somaliland, were invited in January this year by the NEC to act as  coordin ators of the international observation mission for presidential elections in the internationally-unrecognised Republic of Somaliland. A unilateral  announceme nt that elections would proceed followed by threats of an opposition boycott led to a deteriorating situation and the prospect of what would effectively  ha ve been a one-party poll on 27 September. This had already caused us to  rec onsider our plans for an observation mission, although we hoped that the  situ ation could have been resolved to set Somaliland’s democratisation process back on track.

Instead, the situation has become worse. With the extended term of  Presid ent Rayaale due to expire on 29 October (a signed agreement by all three political parties agreed that there would be no further extension) and no constitutional cover to deal with this unprecedented situation, we have real fears for democracy and stability in Somaliland. Since the announcement, there has been violence on the streets of Hargeisa, resulting in the deaths of three Somaliland citizens, injuries to others and leading to the arrest of journalists.

Somaliland has a long history of dialogue and consensus-building and has been characterised by many as a beacon of democratisation in Africa in contrast to the chaos in Somalia. We therefore urge that all stakeholders come together to solve this impasse, to ensure that a process can be put in place for a  legit imate poll, with as little delay as possible, but with genuine commitment from all players and a realistic approach to the time needed to ensure a smooth and proper political process.
 

For further information, contact Progressio’s Media Officer Jo Barrett, on 07940 703911 or jo@progressio.org.uk