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AFRICA Somaliland: Peaceful Elections in an Unrecognized Country

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AFRICA Somaliland: Peaceful Elections in an Unrecognized Country AFRICA Somaliland: Peaceful Elections in an Unrecognized Country OE Watch Commentary: No country recognizes Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty. However, Source: Omar S. Mahmood, as the accompanying article notes, with yet another “presidential election” just completed (the “Somaliland’s New President Has Work third in 14 years), the self-declared country is hoping its peaceful transition of power will garner to Do,” Institute for Security Studies additional international respect and perhaps even the recognition it so desires. (South Africa), 10 January 2018. https:// For many this Somaliland election was particularly noteworthy. Besides a successful issafrica.org/iss-today/somalilands-new- voter registration effort that for the first time ever used an iris-scanner system in Africa, the president-has-work-to-do unrecognized nation also held its first ever presidential debate. This is not to say that Somaliland’s With the inauguration of Muse Bihi “democracy” is perfect. Its presidential election was postponed for two years, and personal Abdi on 13 December 2017, Somaliland’s tensions between the challengers, along with accusations of voter fraud, led to protests which oft-delayed presidential election led to three deaths. Despite these setbacks, the actual overall process was largely peaceful, and process officially ended. The Kulmiye international observers declared there were no significant election day voting irregularities. party retained power, but the president Clan loyalty, as has happened in previous elections, largely shaped the voting. Isaaq sub-clans changed for the third time in 14 years Habar Awal and Habar Jeclo came together to provide Muse Bihi Abdi from the Peace, Unity, and – impressive for an unrecognized Development Party, also known as the Kulmiye Party, with the presidency. While elections are nation, all the more so considering the successful in providing a relatively smooth transition in power, they are also divisive activities neighborhood it’s in. that can fuel clan anger. As the accompanying article relates, the new president must fulfill his Divisions revealed by the highly promises to heal the divides and tamp down clan-based politics, or the democratic process could contested election must be managed to derail. avoid becoming entrenched. Somalia continues to claim Somaliland for itself, as one part of one nation. Somaliland, which Yet the vote also demonstrated the limits has largely avoided the anarchy and violence that have plagued Somalia for decades, continues to of Somaliland’s current reach, and the press for independence. By showcasing warts and all during its successful democratic transition continued divisions that characterize the of power, Somaliland is hoping to convince the world that the time has come for it to be finally be east. Voting was ultimately cancelled in recognized as a sovereign nation, and that it can serve as an example for other nations in the region the town of Badhan, and the electoral to improve their stability and security. End OE Watch Commentary (Feldman) process excluded the Puntland-occupied districts of Las Qoray and Dhahar. “The Kulmiye party retained power, but the president changed for the third time in 14 years – impressive for an unrecognized nation, all the more so considering the neighborhood it’s in.” The House of Elders (Upper House of Parliament) in Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland (Somalia). Source: Vincent van Zeijst via Wikipedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Somalia_(Somaliland),_Hargeisa,_House_of_Elders.JPG, CC 4.0. OE Watch | February 2018 28.
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