A New Political impasse reemerges in Somaliland over who would run for presidential election

On Monday, Somaliland President announced that the electected political parties in July would be eligible for running in the 13th November Presidential election. Today, the Presidential candidate for WADDANI party described the President’s statement as unconstitutional and declared that only the current political parties are eligible to run for office.

His statement came barely less than 24 hours after Somaliland President announced that only the elected political associations in July will take part in the upcoming Presidential election, a move the opposition parties described as unconstitutional.

Abdirahman Irro says there is no dispute about presidential election to be held on its scheduled time and the current political parties; WADDANI, UCID and KULMIYE are eligible to run for office. He ruled out holding the political association election before the Presidential election.

The Presidential candidates alleged that President Bihi has breached the principles of democracy by directing the army to be in charge of the election exercise yet the nation has an independent electoral commission.

The statements of the two politicians gives hope of a new political stalemate in Somaliland as the country prepares to hold elections at the end of this year. The debate on whether it is the Presidential or Political association election to be held first has been the center of controversy between the government and opposition in the past few months.