13 August, 2009

Somaliland is sleep walking into dark future after series of government engineered crisis.

Somaliland: Donor Nations Delegation "Turned Away"

A delegation representing the donor countries that assist Somaliland on democratization process which was due to arrive Somaliland today was reportedly told to stay away by President Riyale's administration.

Reliable sources tell Somaliland Globe that the administration, fearing further pressure from the donor nations, opted to tell the delegation to stay away because the government was not able to provide security detail for them.

A member of the delegation was quoted as saying that the postponement followed discussions with the government officials but declined to provide specific reasons. He added he hoped they will be traveling to Somaliland soon. The donor nations, dismayed at Riyale's attempt to circumvent the Election Law, are eager to tell the candidate for the ruling UDUB party to conform to the Election Law.

Earlier today an administration official who spoke to the local media defiantly dismissed the Parliament's recent bill which declared Riyale's attempt to suspend voter registration list as unlawful. The official also faulted Interpeace of stealing data from voter registration list, an accusation which he did not substantiate and was not mentioned at the time when Interpeace was expelled from the country.

The law makers gave the administration seven days to comply with their ruling which directs the president and the National Election Commission (NEC) to follow the Electoral Laws of Somaliland mandating the use of the existing voter registration list. It is not clear whether the deputy interior minister's statement means that Riyale will defy the lawmakers but there is little doubt that this statement to the press was held with Riyale's full blessing.

This statement from the low ranking administration official is clearly meant to frustrate the lawmakers and opposition parties who expect the Riyale and the NEC to fall in line and move forward by preparing the country for the election that is due to be held in less than two months.


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