The European Union has expressed concern over the growing political tension in Somaliland due to the standoff between the government and the opposition on the impending presidential elections.
The EU delegation led by ambassador Tina Intelmann, Swedish Ambassadour to Kenya Per Lindgard and EU political advisor Maria Groenevel met Somaliland’s main opposition party Waddani leaders in Hargeisa on Thursday to get first-hand view on the state of the nation’s political environment .
The Waddani party was represented by its chairman Hersi Ali Hassan, Party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi his running mate Amb Mohamed Ali and senior party officials.
The European Union delegation expressed great concern about the political dispute and possible impending crisis between the Somaliland government and opposition parties over the presidential elections.
After an in-depth discussion, the EU delegation recommended the dispute between the parties and resolved through mediation and dialogue.
The Waddani party made its position clear to the delegation that no other ballot can proceed or predate the November 13 election for the presidency and that the government must desist its interference of the National Election Commission (NEC) so it may discharge its statutory duties.
The opposition party also said it is essential that members of the committee who have resigned are replaced as a matter of urgency so that the registration of voters can commence.
The party articulated view of how the dispute may be resolved.
The EU team later met the chairman of UCID party Eng. Faysal Ali Warabe, along with other party officials.
The UCID Chairman briefed the delegation of the country’s current electoral impasse and explained why the opposition parties are insisting on holding the presidential election on time, November 13 of this year.
He added that the issue of registration of associations was premature and the government is using it to disrupt and postpone the Presidential election.
The EU delegation also met yesterday with Somaliland’s Minister of Interior.
The political temperature in Somaliland has been heightening with the government seemingly not keen on holding the presidential elections as stipulated on November 13.
To put pressure on the government led by President Musa Bihi, the opposition has announced it will hold countryside demonstrations.
But the government has said it will resist any attempts by the opposition to hold street protests.
