Waddani Party shows a conciliatory tone in national day commemoration

Somaliland main opposition party, Waddani, has struck a conciliatory tone in the Independence Day commemoration banquet held at the presidential palace on Saturday night.

The interim chairman of Waddani Party, Abdiqadir Jirde minimized the dispute over the forthcoming local and parliamentary elections.

The amicable atmosphere of the Iftar and dinner banquet on the occasion of Somaliland’s Independence Day seems to have mellowed the interim chairman of Waddani Party, MP Abdiqadir Ismail Jirde.

In his brief speech at the presidential palace dinner party, he struck a conciliatory tone. He minimized the deadlock over the issue of forthcoming elections, and all but apologized for possible perceived stands and errors from his party, and called for a ceasefire in political attacks during the month of Ramadan. This comes in less than five-minutes-long speech.

Mr. Jirde admitted that his party may have gone too far in their opposition, but stressed commitment for the best interest of the nation, and Waddani’s readiness to become a governing party.

He then called on the government to cease political attacks for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan. He personally assured the interior minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed that Waddani will not attack him for the duration of the month.

“I would call for to cease political attacks as we have reached the holiest part of Ramadan. We give our assurance to Mohamed Kahin that no will say a word about him. We assure him of that.” He said.

Mr. Abdiqadir Jirde capped his conciliatory speech by toning down the dispute over the forthcoming parliamentary and local elections and called the public not stay onlookers to the matter and press the parties for compromise.

“…In the matters of the elections, Mr. president we are not very far apart. There is no big gap in our positions. People shouldn’t doubt that. Our points of contention are few technical matters that would be resolved given good faith from all parties.” He concluded his speech.

It is to be seen if this conciliatory tone was just for the national day consumption, or whether the political parties are closer to resolve the impasse over the issues of the elections scheduled for later this year.