KULMIYE STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT
POLITICAL
SITUATION IN SOMALILAND
We, KULMIYE, the main opposition
party in Somaliland, are concerned about the current political
situation in Somaliland and make the following statement.
We condemn the government’s crack down on hundreds of our supporters
who marched peacefully in Hargeisa yesterday to protest Mr. Dahir
Rayaale’s plans to unlawfully extend his term of office as the
president of Somaliland, which constitutionally ended yesterday. The
police forces fired guns to stop our supporters from taking part in
the protest. And, in the city of Berbera, the government arrested
several KULMIYE party officials.
We also regret that Mr. Rayaale has imposed stringent measures
interfering press laws and Journalistic work. In March, the
Independent Radio Horyaal reporter, Mr. Ahmed Suleiman Doholl was
arrested without charges and the Editor of the Yool newspaper,
Mohamed A Guled ‘Curad’ was given a custodial sentence for being
critical of the government policy.
We raise our deep concerns at Mr. Rayaale’s conduct in relation to
the above as well as his systematic delays of the presidential
election in order to remain in power for unlimited period of time.
We are worried that Mr. Dahir Rayaale’s desire to hang onto power
beyond his term increases the likelihood of Somaliland entering into
a political crisis that may put the country’s security and
democratic process at risk- the two greatest achievements of the
people of Somaliland.
KULMIYE will not let Mr. Rayaale to take these achievements away
from our nation and therefore we are determined to continue our
protest in order to make sure that free and fair elections do take
place in Somaliland; that the democratic principles are upheld; and
that a consensus is reached on areas where our constitution is
unclear.
KULMIYE rejects Mr. Rayaale’s intentions of unilaterally extending
his tenure and calls for an inclusive consultation to discuss and
agree on an appropriate interim administration.
KULMIYE is ready to take part in a free and fair election held at
the earliest possible time agreed by the national election
commission and the political parties.
We note that immediate improvements are required to ensure that
civil and political rights are respected and that the electoral
process is allowed to be free from interferences.
We call on Mr. Rayaale to refrain from violence and provocations.
Harassing our supporters and terrorising our party officials and
leaders are unacceptable. Equally important is the respect for the
inalienable rights of assembly of peaceful demonstrators.
We believe that continuation of arrests of KULMIYE supporters will
only exacerbate the situation.
Finally, we hold Mr. Rayaale accountable for any loss of life by
Somaliland citizens as a result of his denial of their fundamental
civil and political rights enshrined in the constitution.
We call on the nation as a whole to keep calm in this difficult
period.
Dr. Mohamed A Omar
Foreign Affairs Secretary
KULMIYE PARTY
Republic of Somaliland
April7, 2009
Dr. Mohamed A Omar is the Kulmiye Foreign Affairs Secretary
responsible for foreign policy matters and acts on behalf of the
party in conducting political dialogue with the international
community.
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