Somaliland government now says it is the responsibility of the nation’s electoral body to set the date for presidential elections.
In responce to a call last week by the United States government to set a road map for the elections, the Somaliland government in a statement said it is committed to holding elections and that it is the electoral Commission’s responsibility to come up with an election road map
“We are determined to implement democratic elections, a right that the government has protected and a process that serves as a model for the region. In accordance with our laws, the National Electoral Commission is mandated to organize elections in our country. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the National Electoral Commission to develop the roadmap for the elections,” said the statement from the Somaliland government.
Last week, the US State Department has expressed concern over the delay of Somaliland’s presidential elections, initially scheduled for November 2022.
They urged Somaliland authorities to establish a clear timeline and complete the polls as soon as possible.
The US said it is prepared to restrict visa issuance to current or former Somali officials or individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining the democratic process in Somalia, including Somaliland, under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The US statement read:
The United States is increasingly concerned by the continuing violence in Lascanood and joins other international partners and neighbors in calling for de-escalation, adherence to the agreed ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and resumption of constructive dialogue towards peaceful resolution. Continued violence will increase the potential for extremist groups to sow broader instability and further exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
We call on Somaliland to pull back its security forces as a demonstration of its commitment to these principles. We call on the militias in Lascanood to refrain from any offensive actions against Somaliland forces. We support the Federal Government of Somalia’s constructive engagement and deployment of a clan elders’ delegation and welcome Somaliland President Bihi’s commitment to meet with the delegation in Hargeisa.
We also note with concern that Somaliland’s presidential elections have been delayed since November 2022, well beyond the timing set forth in Somaliland’s constitution. We call on the Somaliland authorities to set a clear timeline and complete the elections as soon as possible. The United States stands ready to use authorities under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict the issuance of visas to current or former Somali officials or other individuals who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Somalia, including in Somaliland.
