THT-” The Government of Somaliland urges the international community refrain from any action or rhetoric that risks defaming Somaliland’s electoral integrity, independence and sovereignty, and instead shift its energies towards continuing to work with the Somaliland government and people in addressing the main developmental challenges facing the region, instead of preoccupation with inclusion of this country in Somalia elections.
This was by the Somaliland minister of information cum government spokesperson Suleiman Yusuf Ali Kore in a press statement released from his Hargeisa offices on the 7th March 2020 below verbatim
The Government of the Republic of Somaliland notes with deep regret the recent statement by United Nations Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) for Somalia, James Swan, disclosing his office’s involvement in effort aimed at ‘guaranteeing’ the unilateral and unwarranted inclusion of Somaliland in UNSOM’s plans and vision for Somalia’s electoral process. This rhetoric, while not in any way impacting the reality on the ground of Somaliland’s independent political existence and democratic process, serves to undercut the UN’s claims to be an honest broker in regional diplomatic initiatives,
The Government of the Republic of Somaliland condemns the SRSG’ statement as both a provocative interference in Somaliland’s sovereign self-governance, as well as a demonstration of disrespect towards the country’s democratic process and progress to date. Since regaining independence from Somalia on 18 May 1991, Somaliland has established a sound track record for holding successive democratic elections, involving both the institutionalisation of one-person-one-vote elections and the peaceful transfer of power between elected leaders.
This democratic mandate, as well as the adoption of the Somaliland national constitution through popular referendum in 2001, empowers the Government of the Republic of Somaliland as the sole and legitimate representative of the Somaliland people, and the lone authority on matters of Somaliland’s elections. The UN, which Somaliland has shared close and productive diplomatic relations for three decades, knows better than most this reality, and any attempt to claim otherwise is both disingenuous and a dereliction of its duty to serve as a neutral promoter of peace and security in the region.
Such a politicisation of the SRSG’s interventions will only hurt the prospects for the normalisation of relations between Somaliland and Somalia, at a time when the two separate and independent countries are due to resume internationally sponsored dialogue in order to clarify future relations.
The Government of Somaliland therefore calls on the international community refrain from any action or rhetoric that risks defaming Somaliland’s electoral integrity, independence and sovereignty, and instead shift its energies towards continuing to work with the Somaliland government and people to address the main developmental and security challenges facing the region
Hon. Suleiman Yusuf Ali (K
Minister of Information, (Government’s Spokesman)
The Republic of Somaliland
By:Yusuf M. Hassan