Geeska Afrika gathers in-depth details of the meeting between Somaliland’s President and the Delegation of the International Community
A delegation comprising of international community representatives who support the democratic process and elections in Somaliland who in the past week visited Hargeisa left the country disappointed following a meeting with President Bihi on Thursday.
The delegation led by EU envoy to Ambassador Nicolas Berlanga had a man-to-man meeting with the President of the Republic of Somaliland, in which Mr. the chairman of the house of Elders (Guurti)and Mr. Bashe Mohamed Farah the speaker of the house of representatives .
Despite the generic official statement released by the Presidency, the meeting was described as tense and at times contentious where President Bihi was remarkably candid with the delegation.
According to reliable sources, who spoke to Geeska Afrika stated that EU envoy to Ambassador Nicolas Berlanga argued the President of the Republic of Somaliland to accept the recommendation made by the conciliation committee, first to dissolve the electoral commission at this time and to re-appoint the dissolved electoral commission. The President on his part informed the visiting diplomats that the former President dismissed the NEC commissioners during his tenure, meaning that the law permits as such.
The President reminded the visiting that they were here to advice and not to dictate their terms and Somaliland has a long history of resolving its differences internally and while he welcomes their support for Somaliland and its democratization process would not accept anyone to dictate how to resolve its internal issues.
President Bihi, also called on the delegation to respect the laws and institutions of Somaliland.
The President, accused certain countries in European Union, especially Turkey, of establishing military bases in Mogadishu, while at the same time trained and equipped the Somali government troops with skills to attack the Republic of Somaliland.
He also blamed European countries for turning a blind eye to Somaliland and Somalia, highlighting the parity in the aid donations to Somalia and Somaliland.
Mr. Saleban Mahmoud Aden, the chair of Somaliland House of Elders accused the visiting delegation of international community emissaries undermining the constitution the institutions of democracies, He told them there was no law authorizing the dissolution of the electoral commission at this time.
Chairman Saleban reminded them that the State of Somaliland has the potential resources and the funds for the upcoming electoral process, Somaliland is self-sufficient, said the speaker of the upper hous.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Bashe Mohamed Farah, in his words reaffirmed the stance of Chairman Saleban.
The words of chairman Saleban and President Bihi have one thing in common, both expressed words of anger, rage and outrage in the meeting.
The statement of Governor Saleban and President Bihi are said to have been an expressed anger, protest and outrage during the meeting.
Despite skewering the International Community for what the President said was a clear case of bias against Somaliland, he reiterated his party and government’s commitment to working with the opposition parties and the mediation committee within the bounds of Somaliland constitutions.
At this meeting, the insiders termed it as difficult, with heated talk. The international delegation left and flew the country muted, without the usual briefs to the press as per norms calls for.
