Somalia: Somaliland's House of Elders to discuss presidential term extension

HARGEISA, Somalia, May 3, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Despite election days, Somaliland's House of Elders is exploring all avenues to extend President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo)’s term by unspecified duration, Garowe Online reports.

The Chairman of House of Elders Saleban Mohamud Adan told a news conference in Somaliland capital of Hargeisa on Sunday that 28-member committee drawn from the chamber will discuss term extension for the current leadership with opposition and ruling Kulmiye Party.

Wadani and UCID heavyweights who previously contested the theme of election delay are likely to agree to term extension, insiders predict.

Electoral commission postponed general elections due to lack of timely voters registration.

Al though the separatist administration was mired into deadlock over the date on which elections will be held, Adan mediated between Wadani leader and Parliament Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro and President Siilaanyo in late 2014.

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

GAROWE ONLINE