Somalia: Somaliland ruling party in crisis

HARGEISA, Somalia, October 17, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Crisis has intensified within ruling Kulmiye party as support by Vice President Abdirahman Saylici for party chairman Musse Bihi Abdi surfaces, Garowe Online reports.

Ahead of ruling party’s central committee congress on November 10, four candidates announced run for presidency under Kulmiye Party. Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis, Former Finance Minister Abdiasis Mohamed Samale and Member of Parliament Ahmed Abdinur Kijandhe are expected to square off against Abdi.

On Saturday morning, anti-terror police broke up a ceremony organized by anti-ruling party chairman caucus-notably the three-who later accused Somaliland Vice President and Kulmiye leader of trying to sow division.

“The three candidates [Yonis, Kijandhe and I] organized an event to show off our strength and support within ruling party central committee. We are leading overwhelming majority but they oppose this,” former Finance Minister said, referring to Musse Bihi Abdi and the Vice President.

He added that the party leader opted for abuse of his political influence, insisting that he can’t dictate date on which the congress will be held.

On Friday evening, three candidates who are vying to be nominated as contenders in 2017 Presidential elections met with Vice President Saylici at Hotel Mansor, sources tell Garowe Online.

The three asked for Somaliland Presidency to appoint an independent body capable of staging the upcoming conference, however, the Vice President rebuffed and put green light on Abdi's blueprint.

As wrangle is threatening to splinter ruling party, Garowe Online understands that 25 members within the central committee have been wooed at the expense of Kulmiye chairman.

Speaking at a luncheon that brought together supporters of three candidates at Gulled hotel in the capital, Hargeisa, Somaliland Aids Commission Director-General Abdikarin Hinif called on President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Siilaanyo to step in and quell the damaging dispute.

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