Ethiopia congratulates Somaliland on a peaceful and democratic election

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has recognized the recently concluded presidential election in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that is fighting for international recognition, having declared self-independence three decades ago.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the people of Somaliland for conducting “a peaceful and democratic election.” The region runs a parallel government from that of Mogadishu and conducts its own legislative business.

In the statement, Ethiopia lauded the Somaliland National Electoral Commission for conducting 'free and fair elections'. It is the first country to recognize Somaliland's elections, which had also attracted international observers.

“This process reflects the maturity of Somaliland’s governance and democratic system,” the statement by the ministry said.

In a joint statement released Thursday, international partners who observed Somaliland’s presidential election on 13 November also commended the NEC “for conducting a transparent voter registration and candidate nomination process.”

Muse Bihi Abdi, the incumbent and leader of the Kulmiye party ran against Abdirahman Irro of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe of UCID in an election whose outcome is yet to be declared. The commission has warned voters against 'fake news'.

Regardless of the outcome of the election and the eventual winner, Somaliland would still face the question of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia, which was termed as 'illegal and provocative'. In the agreement, Ethiopia would get 20 kilometers of access to the sea for the construction of a military base and port in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

But Somalia has vowed to fight back, accusing Ethiopia of annexation plans, and has since rejected mediation, insisting on withdrawal of the agreement before any talks. Mogadishu has also penned a defense deal with Egypt, a move viewed as a proactive strategy to handle Ethiopian threats.

GAROWE ONLINE