Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi convened a meeting with the leaders of various political organizations to accelerate the groundwork for the impending elections and reinforce public security in the country.
The two opposition parties, Wadani and UCID, did not attend the meeting, which took place in Hargeisa on Tuesday, despite their invitations extended by President Bihi himself.
The crux of the political discord between the government and the opposition revolves around the sequencing of the election of political organizations and the presidential election. President Bihi asserts that the election of political organizations should precede the presidential election, a stance met with reluctance from the opposition.
The chairman of the UCID Party, Faysal Ali Warabe, vocalized the opposition’s position. He accused President Muse Bihi Abdi of attempting to delay the poll and extend his term, citing Bihi’s history of flouting laws, evading compromise, and circumventing consultation.
In a recent announcement, the electoral commission divulged its plan for the election of political organizations preceding the presidential election. However, Faysal Ali Warabe raised objections, labelling this sequence as violating established norms.
Somaliland’s international partners, including the U.S., also call for dialogue and a peaceful solution in the country.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991 but has not received recognition from the international community.
