Somalia: Somaliland parliament extends term amid opposition protests

HARGEISA, Somalia - For the umpteenth time in as many years, Somaliland House of Elders has extended the term, a move that could spark outrage from the opposition and international community, Garowe Online reports.

The secessionist state, which has enjoyed relative stability than other states in Somalia, has struggled in recent years with delayed elections being the contentious issue.

Of the 71 Senators present during the Saturday's tense debate at Hargeisa, only one legislator objected to antics by the house to keep 'tolerating' delay of polls.

House of Elders will now have yet another three years at the helm of power with the Lower house getting two more years. Elections are now expected in 2022.

Since 2010, the state is yet to hold any elections. Somaliland National Electoral Commission has postponed the polls several times, citing 'inadequate preparations and lack of consensus'.

The house has been in place since 2005 and Saturday's extension of the term means they would have served sixth uninterrupted term by 2022.

Kulmiye party, whose party leader is President Muse Bihi Abdi, has been under immense pressure to pave way for electoral reforms and subsequent polls.

Last week, two opposition leaders from the Waddani party were arrested and detained, a move that led to violent protests, leading to several injuries.

Authorities accused opposition leader Abdirahman Abdullahi 'Irro' of organizing' illegal protests' contrary to the country's constitution.

In an interview with Garowe Online, Irro said, "They arrested Khadar Hussein Abdi, the secretary-general of Waddani, and the spokesperson of the party, Barkhad Jama Batun and detained them in Mandera'.

Waddani party has since called off protests. The party is the main opposition in breakaway Somaliland having emerged second in presidential polls.

Already, the internal squabbles have attracted interest from the international community, with British Consul Stuart Brown calling for the release of the politicians last week.

On his Twitter handle, Brown said: "The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing detention of opposition politicians in Somaliland. We have called on the government to bring charges or release."

The diplomat further said, "We encourage all parties to renew dialogue and uphold their commitment to hold parliamentary and local elections without delay."

Bihi has been accusing Waddani party of having links with Somalia, a claim which Irro dismissed as 'outright nonsense and absurdity'.

The extension of the parliament term could sabotage development in the region. The opposition has also accused Bihi of imposing his loyalists in the electoral commission.

Somaliland declared self-rule from Somalia in 1992 after the toppling of the former military regime, but the international community is yet to recognize her autonomy.

GAROWE ONLINE