Somalia: Somaliland ruling party picks candidate in congress

HARGEISA, Somalia, November 10, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Delegates at key congress in Somaliland capital of Hargeisa, have picked ruling Kulmiye party leader as presidential candidate in 2017 elections in an overwhelming vote on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Of the 365 delegates present, 344 voted in favor of Musse Bihi Abdi, who has been leading Kulmiye for two years and stood unopposed for the post.

Over two weeks ago, nine cabinet ministers including Abdi’s rivals-former Foreign Affairs Minister, Musse Bihi Abdi and Somaliland President’s right hand man, Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan-resigned in anger at President’s standpoint on political wrangle that brewed among candidates jockeying for candidacy under Kulmiye party.

Speaking at the colorful congress, President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo) announced that he will not seek re-election after his tenure in office ends in early 2017.

“I have made concession to give opportunity to long time comrades. I want to put historic mark on Somaliland’s renaissance as never before,” Somaliland President told clapping crowd.

The current Vice President, Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismeal has retained his post as candidate in 2017 election after Health Minister; Saleban Isse Ahmed lost his bid by 116 votes.

More than 360 delegates attended the long awaited ruling party congress following damaging political feud.

The impasse threatened to splinter Kulmiye, with opposition bloc standing in unity ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.

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