Somaliland Government refutes allegations from Waddani leader

Hargeisa (Somaliland.com) – The Spokesman of the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Somaliland, Mohamud Warsame Jama, responded to the accusations of the leader of the main opposition party WADDANI, on Tuesday, towards Somaliland president, Mr. Muse Bihi Abdi.

Mohamud Warsame Jama, who spoke to the press on Wednesday, said WADDANI’s accusations were unfounded and said Mr Irro is covering his constant barriers to have an election in this country.

The speaker added that Waddani Chairman’s speech was a clear sign that Opposition parties are not ready for the upcoming elections. He that Irro’s allegations were based very cheap debate because election law No / 20/2001, section 13 clearly sets out the criteria and procedure for selecting members of the Commission, and the powers of every branch of the country.

He further stated that the president and his government are always ready to hold elections on time.

This comes after Somaliland’s Wadani Party had accused President Muse Bihi of violations of the political agreement on the electoral commission that was brokered by the international community in July this year.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro said his party will withhold the nomination of its member to the electoral body until the government rectifies the violations of the nomination process and the agreement of the political parties brokered by the European Union.

Waddani alleges the members nominated by the president to the independent electoral body include people affiliated with political parties. The party also objects the renomination of Kaltun Sheikh, a member of the current electoral commission.

The party leader of Somaliland’s Wadani Party Abdirahman Irro accused President Muse Bihi of violations and gross misconduct towards the recent political parties agreement.

Mr Irro said President Muse Bihi’s integrity is questionable because he does not keep his words when the stakeholders come to an agreement.

The three national parties in Somaliland recently signed a historic deal in which they settled election disputes, and arrived at an agreement which is to see the formation of new SLNEC members.

However, Waddani Party Abdirahman Inro said his party will not take part in the parliamentary and local elections if the proposed members of the Electoral Commission are to stay.