Somaliland opposition leader warns

Somaliland opposition leader warns against election delay HARGEISA, Somalia Mar 2 (samotalis) - The leading opposition figure in Somalia's separatist republic of Somaliland has warned against delaying the upcoming presidential election, Radio Garowe reports. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, chairman of the opposition Kulmiye party, told a Sunday press conference in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa that the two house of Parliament must hold an emergency session and "elect a caretaker President." Ahmed Silanyo, Somaliland opposition leader "My advice is that the presidential election be held on time [March 29, 2009], or that President Riyale be removed from office and a caretaker President should administer [Somaliland] until the new election date," said Mr. Silanyo, who is widely seen as President Dahir Riyale's main challenger. The Somaliland Election Commission issued a statement postponing the March 29 election. At a meeting with Somaliland's three political parties, the election commission presented a new election date within 91 days. "The planned election delay could bring disorder to Somaliland," Mr. Silanyo warned. He indicated that the "only way to survive disorder" is for the two house of Parliament â€" the House of Guurti and the House of Representatives â€" to hold an emergency session and strip power from President Riyale and Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, who were elected in 2003. Mr. Silanyo condemned the election commission for suggesting a new election date without consultation from the two house of Parliament, saying: "The election commission does not have the authority to set a new election date." President Riyale's government received an illegal one-year term extension in May 2008, after the House of Guurti passed a motion the opposition condemend as unconstitutional. Delaying the March 29 election date would make it the second time the presidential election has been delayed and fourth time an election is postponed. It is believed that Riyale administration would lose hugely if election is called on time. The delay tactics would not render this deficit, but Riyaale is counting on surprise events or opposition blunder the longer the delay is. It is the tactics of a dying regime. Western donors and specially UK government that spend alot of funds and energy to sustain democraticisation process in Somaliland is very disappointed with this uncertainty. It is beleived that President Rayaale is called by the Foreign Office, after meeting with the Kulmiye party Foreign Affairs Spokesman. Somaliland people invested handsomely on the prospect of free election looking forward to regime change. The public is disappointed with government known for corruption and lack of capacity in every level. They hoped that a free and fair election will bring the international recognition they waited so long.

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