Security tight in Hargeisa as UDUB holds rival conferences

Security tight in Hargeisa as UDUB holds rival conferences 3 Feb 3, 2009 - 3:43:14 PM

HARGEISA, Somalia Feb 3 (Garowe Online) - The ruling party in Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland split into two camps Tuesday, holding rival conferences to nominate the UDUB party's official presidential candidate, Radio Garowe reports.

The larger UDUB convention was held at Hotel Mansoor and attended by upwards of 1,000 people, including government officials, civic leaders and Diaspora supporters.

Somaliland President Dahir Riyale

Somaliland President Dahir Riyale gave a long speech at the opening day, describing the region's past and future ambitions and sending a clear warning to "people who endanger the security and survival of Somaliland."

Independent sources reported that security forces banned journalists and certain politicians from entering Hotel Mansoor, including a government official who recently resigned and announced his candidacy for the UDUB party nomination.

Adan Rush, who resigned Feb 1 as state minister for public works, is a long-time UDUB loyalist but was targeted by security forces because his candidacy is a challenge to President Riyale, the sources added.

A rival conference led by UDUB presidential candidates opened up at Hotel Deeq Alla, described as a relatively unknown locale for political conferences.

Somaliland authorities had reportedly pressured the owners of major hotels in Hargeisa against renting to UDUB dissidents, led by ex-Somaliland health minister Abdullahi Darawal.

The second conference was welcome to reporters, but tensions grew after Somaliland security forces began patrolling nearby streets.

Mr. Darawal, and other dissident leaders like Mohamed Jowhari, gave fiery speeches and did not seem to be bothered by the soldiers and armed trucks around the hotel.

"We do no have guns, but we have democracy. We oppose the party [UDUB] that belonged to everyone being controlled by a few people," Darawal said.

Another UDUB presidential candidate, Mr. Jowhari, said the conference is open as promised and announced a seven-member committee that would steer the conference agenda in the coming days.

President Riyale, who is up for re-election on March 29, has been increasingly challenged from within the ruling UDUB party in recent months.

Some party loyalists want UDUB to present a new candidate for president, while Riyale and his supporters want the Somaliland leader to return and compete against opposition party candidates Ahmed Silanyo and Faisal Ali Warabe.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, declared independence 18 years ago and has established its own government, currency and flag.

The separatist republic is not recognized internationally but has been relatively stable over the past decade.

The upcoming election is a major test for Somaliland's democratic progress, which was tarnished last year when President Riyale unconstitutionally extended his term by another year.

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