HARGEISA, Somalia Sep 30 (Garowe Online) - Political rivals in Somalia's separatist republic of Somaliland have signed an agreement to end the region's months-long election crisis, Radio Garowe reports.

Somaliland's political rivals

The six-point agreement was signed on Thursday by Somaliland President Dahir Riyale, on behalf of the ruling UDUB party, and Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo and Mr. Faisal Ali Warabe, on behalf of Kulmiye and UCID opposition parties, respectively.

A signing ceremony was held at the State House in Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland, the UK's Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. John Marshal, and the Ethiopian Trade Representative in Somaliland, Mr. Damise Wabishet.

Further, the leaders of Somaliland's two houses of parliament, House of Representatives Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed "Irro" and House of Guurti Chairman Saleban "Gal" Mohamud, were present at the signing ceremony as observers.

Somaliland President Dahir Riyale signs, opposition leader Ahmed Silanyo looks on

The six-point agreement includes a clause prohibiting the Riyale administration from "a term extension without consulting" opposition parties. Another clause calls for international experts to be sent to Hargeisa to complete the computerized voter-registration system.

The presidential election, scheduled for September 29 but cancelled, will be held exactly one month after the international experts say they can complete the voter-registration system, according to the new agreement.

A clause that strengthens the opposition's political cards calls for the Somaliland election commission to be replaced. It was the election commission, pressured by the Riyale administration, that cancelled September's presidential election, thereafter deepening the political crisis and sparking deadly riots in Hargeisa.

Amb. John Marshal

It is the first time foreign diplomats have mediated among Somaliland's political rivals, with Amb. Marshal signing as a witness on behalf of the international community.

President Riyale, who was elected in 2003, has managed to stay in power by two term-extensions approved by the House of Guurti. His closest challenger, Mr. Silanyo, lost the 2003 presidential election to Riyale with less than 90 votes.

Somaliland, located in northwest Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991. The breakway region is relatively stable and enjoys a functioning government.

Source: Garowe Online