Somalia: New deal suspends No Confidence motion against Somaliland Parliament Speaker

HARGEISA, Somalia Nov 22, 2014 (Garowe Online) –A new deal brokered by Somaliland House of Elders between ruling Kulmiye party MPs and opposition lawmakers led to the suspension of no confidence vote in parliament speaker and opposition leader on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

During a joint press conference at Somaliland State House in the capital, Hargeisa, the Chairman of House of Elders Saleban Mohamud Adan announced that the recent political wrangles have been settled through peaceful means following lengthy mediations.

The incumbent Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Siilanyo who is again vying for the presidency under the ruling Kulmiye Party shook hands with Parliament speaker, the chairman of Wadani opposition party and presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Iro in the presence of mediating elders.

“The no confidence motion against parliament speaker, and spearheaded by the first Deputy Speaker has been suspended and can not be re-tabled until the term expires,” House of Elders Chairman said in a press statement, adding that the speaker is expected to play a neutral role in parliamentary matters.

Adan urged registered political parties to refrain from campaigns prior to the date for which the general elections are slated.

On November 15, one person died and four others sustained injuries after police clashed with protesters in violent rally in Togdheer regional capital of Burao.

The political stand-off in Somaliland parliament came after nearly 53 MPs representing ruling Kulmiye Party lodged no confidence vote in speaker of the parliament.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state  in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.

GAROWE ONLINE