President addresses large crowds in Dila, Borama and Gebiley
By M.A. Egge
The residents of Gebiley have given the President of the Republic H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi the biggest reception yet seen as he visited the region and western parts of the country in a tour to rally for re-election, as the official campaigning period is to end on Sunday 10th November.
The Head of State who is the flag-bearer of the ruling KULMIYE party is in a political campaign defending his seat and that of in the upcoming elections on Wednesday the 13th of November 2024.
Both the presidential and political parties/organizations would be held on the same day.
Enthusiastic and happy masses of supporters thronged the streets shouting chants of slogans and songs dotted with shrilling ululations as the received president at the outskirts of the town ushering him to the city as he came from Awdal region on the same day for similar campaign rallies.
Typical of Somaliland political outings, the members of the public and party supporters adorned dresses, robes and clothes bearing the KULMIYE party colours and symbols while singing songs in support of their candidate and parties while carrying flags and umbrellas of similar slogans.
They zealously emitted and exhibited their enthusiasm heartily.
The leaders of the district, the campaign officials of the party in charge of Gabiley region, MPs, ministers gave speeches that expressed their gratitude to the people of Gebiley for welcoming the president who is currently the candidate of the KULMIYE party assuring him and the party their votes.
The minister of the Ministry of Commerce, who is the president’s running-mate, thanked the residents for the reception accorded.
The President, who gave a speech touching many aspects to the people of Gabiley, thanked them wholeheartedly for the warm welcome they received, and asked them to vote for him and the party.
He called upon voters to conduct them-selves maturely during the voting day which is a few days away.
Similar attendance and tumultuous receptions were witnessed as the President addressed large rallies with thousands of supporters of the KULMIYE party in Borama and also at Dila in Awdal region.
The various sections of the community in Boorama, led by parliamentarians, cultural leaders, ministers, regional heads of government departments received the president at the town’s square, whose faces showed happiness and support.
Area traditional and cultural leaders welcomed the president and declared that the community in Awdal region unreservedly supported the KULMIYE party and its candidates.
The governor of Awdal region and the mayor of Boorama district, who on their part thanked them for the enthusiastic reception accorded to the president.
Ministers Constitution and National Councils and Education, the honourables Abdinasir Muhammad Hassan (Buuni) and Dr. Ahmed Aden Buuhane respectively addressed the masses and appealed for their votes to re-elect the president and the ruling party.
The latter expressed that the party’s support in the region “has never waned at all”.
The Minister of Commerce, who is the presidential candidate of the KULMIYE party, Hon. Mohamud Hassan Saad Saajin, also expressed his gratitude for the welcome and the broad support shown by the Borama people saying that they counted on their support.
MP Amina Farid, one of the representatives of the KULMIYE party, has sent a message to everyone who criticizes the support of KULMIYE in Awdal region, and noted that Boorama residents had profoundly shown their political support of the KULMIYE party and its candidates.
The president expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the welcome and support shown by the Borama community, and pointed out that the government led by him had made a lot of development progress in the Awdal region.
The scenario in Dila was similar.
Given the nation’s constitution, the political party elections are held such that top three leaders in the polls become the official political parties for a term of ten years; a mandate that makes them the only official political institutions to operate.
This time round the existing political parties of WADDANI, KULMIYE and UCID have seven other political organizations pitted against them in the race, with KAAH, HILAAC and HORSED showing spirited efforts.
Likewise, as for the campaigns, each political party or organization has a sole day catered for them to do the campaign rallies all across the country without the interference of any other.