Somaliland President Muse Bihi has told a committee of traditional leaders and the civil society to keep off the issue of the election dispute between his government and the opposition and leave the matter to the Guurti (House of Elders).
The President held a meeting with the traditional leaders and the civil society members on Tuesday but the issue of the elections was brushed aside.
The traditional leaders and the civic society are concerned about the growing political tension in the country following calls for mass action by the opposition to push the government to have the presidential elections held in November.
Over a week ago, opposition members and supporters held demonstrations in the capital Hargeisa but were rebuffed by government security officers who fired live bullets at the protestors injuring several. some opposition leaders and journalists were arrested.
The opposition is not comfortable with the Guurti house handling the election impasse mediation because most of the members are staunch Bihi supporters.
A statement from the presidency after the meeting indicated: “Finally, the meeting ended in a positive atmosphere, and it was agreed that the House of Elders, which is legally responsible for resolving disputes in Somaliland, should be in charge of this task, and we should wait for them to tell us how to proceed.”
The opposition parties Waddani and UCID maintain they will only support talks if the government is ready to give a clear roadmap to the elections.
On Monday, opposition parties threatened to return to the streets if President Bihi fails to commit to holding presidential elections in November.
Feisal Ali Warabe, the chairman of UCID party accused President Bihi of showing no commitment to working with the opposition to have the elections held as per the constitution.
He further said Bihi is not ready to sit with the opposition leaders to have a peaceful process.
“We suspended nationwide protests because we wanted to give dialogue a chance. But President Bihi does not show commitment to listen to his political opponents and wants to follow his decisions without giving special consideration to the constitution,” said the UCID party boss.
He said Bihi’s administration used excessive police force against opposition peaceful demonstrators.
“We are not giving ultimatums to the president but we are hoping he will accept to negotiate. But if the talks fail we will proceed with our nationwide protests to demand the election takes place on time,” he stated.
