Saturday July 18, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The international community in Somalia has welcomed the agreement by political parties in Somaliland to hold elections this year after delays which has not seen a parliamentary election in nearly 15 years.
A joint statement led by the UN and partners in Somalia lauded the agreement on July 12 by political parties in Somaliland and called for broad representation, especially of women and youth.
“This landmark agreement presents new opportunities to preparations for the elections and requires the NEC to present technical schedule within 14 days starting from July 12 2020,” the statement read in part.
The current Somaliland Lower House was elected in 2005, and any attempts to conduct elections have failed in subsequent years drawing sharp criticism from the international community. The elections were last slated for October 2018 but were postponed to March 2021.
“The international community strongly commends Somaliland’s progress towards the elections and are ready to support Somaliland’s electoral process, including safeguarding the women and the minorities quota,” the partners including countries with embassies in Somalia said.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in May 1991 but has since not garnered internal support for recognition.
Taiwan and Somaliland announced earlier this month agreed to establish diplomatic relations and went ahead to appoint representatives to their respective territories.