Somalia
Somaliland mediation committee defends extension
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Apr 29, 2009 - 5:01:05 PM

HARGEISA, Somalia Apr 29 (Garowe Online) - A mediation committee endorsed by the government and opposition parties in the Somali breakaway republic of Somaliland issued a verdict Wednesday, Radio Garowe reports.

The seven-member Political Mediation Committee has held joint meetings with Somaliland President Dahir Riyale, Kulmiye Party chairman Ahmed Silanyo and UCID Party chairman Faisal Ali Warabe this week.

The committee issued a five-point ruling on Wednesday, which observers said was largely in favor of President Riyale and the ruling UDUB Party.

The first point deals with the issue of the six-month term extension: "The term-extension decision given by the House of Guurti [Upper House of Somaliland Parliament] to the President and the Vice President that ends on Oct. 29, 2009, is valid."

The following clause warns that, if the Somaliland presidential election is not held by Sept. 27, 2009, "the House of Guurti cannot extend the term for the President and the Vice President."

The second point details the election timeframe, ruling that the voter-registration database must be complete by July 27, 2009, giving time to organize a fair election.

The third point orders that government media resources, such as Radio Hargeisa and Somaliland TV, must give all three political parties "equal air time."

Further, the following clause bans the government from using government property such as finances and transportation for a single party.

The fourth clause upholds constitutional laws protecting the freedom of political parties to conduct day-to-day activities, including freedom to movement and freedom to hold public gatherings like peaceful demonstrations.

The following clause demands that the Somaliland government "release all political prisoners arrested during the political crisis."

The fifth and final clause states that a Code of Conduct for the political parties must be prepared ahead of the election.

The political crisis in Somaliland erupted in May 2008 after President Riyale received a one-year term extension following a vote by the House of Guurti. Last month, the House of Guurti voted again to give President Riyale and Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Yasin a term extension for the second time.

Opposition parties, led by opposition leader Ahmed Silanyo, have demanded that Riyale hand over power to a neutral caretaker government which can lead Somaliland until the Sept. 2009 presidential election.

It is not clear the opposition parties accepted the mediation committee's ruling, but observers say today's political verdict is largely in favor of Mr. Riyale's administration.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally.

Source: Garowe Online