As he articulately responds to WADANI’s rejection of new NEC officials
By M.A. Egge
The Head of State H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi has articulately responded to queries brought up by the WADANI opposition party as concerns their (party’s) rejection of the just constituted new National Elections Commission’s (NEC) top officials.
The President’s response that was backed by legalities came less than a week after the parliament passed the endorsement of the new officials hence rejected by the opposition parties. He made the responses at an occasion in which he opened a national health symposium at Mansoor Hotel in Hargeisa yesterday.
As concerns the two main points put forth by WADANI chairman Abdirahman Mohammed Abdillahi a.k.a. Irro, the President noted that “at no time whatsoever was there an agreement to the effect that an individual from former NEC board could not be re-appointed”.
In fact, he said, that a clause in the selection and appointment regulations of the NEC commissioners allows for the reappointment of an individual for a further term if it is so deemed.
The answer was at per with the re-appointment by the President of the only female member in the commission, who served in the last NEC board.
On the other hand, he said that the other bone of contention with the new NEC officials advanced by the WADANI party centered on another of the President’s choice.
The Head of State that if at all he errs, whether consciously or not, in selecting a probable member of the commission, it was incumbent upon the vetting parliamentary select committee to overrule him or the whole parliament altogether in a vote specified as per the constitution to overrule his choice.
He asserted that “Even after Wadani expressed their misgivings, the vetting committee cleared the officials and the parliament as a whole subsequently passed the endorsement thereafter”.
The President called for the warring parties to adhere to the rule of law hence termed WADANI’s rejection of a clear course of the constitution as exhibition of totalitariancy on their part.
The President in a passionate speech to the nation cautioned the populace to be vigilants on their solidarity.
He reiterated the need for unity in advancing development in the country and decried the Mogadishu based leader constant efforts of undermining this country.
He warned President Farmajo that Somaliland was aware of his movers and that the efforts are a waste.