Somaliland: Guurti Vote Extends President’s Term
The Upper House of Parliament, Guurti, has voted to pass a controversial bill that will allow Riyale to stay in office unelected for six more months.
Some Guurti members briefly debated the bill prior to voting, giving the impression that most members already made a decision on how they were going to vote.Those who were against bill, urged members to turn down the bill on the grounds that the country is not in an emergency that can justify an extension.
Under the constitution, the president’s term can only be extended if the country is in a state of war, or if there is one of many catastrophic disasters that prevents elections such as a serious and widespread famine or a disastrous earthquake.
Guurti
The bill passed by 42 to 35 margin with one abstention. By law the House leader who chaired the extra-ordinary session does not vote.
This extension brings the total term extension for the president since his elected term in office ended last year, to 18 months.
It is not known what effect this bill may have on the current scheduled date for the presidential election. The National Election Commission promised to hold the election on May 31 after postponing it for the fourth time since April 2008.
A large number of people who gathered around were unable to get close to the building that houses the Guurti due to police reinforcements who closed access to the area for traffic and pedestrian.
Some of the people who gathered in the area and who were not yet aware of the outcome of the vote, expressed their dismay at the possibility of extension of the president’s term. Mr Luul Mohamed Abdillahi who spoke to a reporter from Horyaal Radio said “I see this debate as an affront to our future. [An extension] can destabilize the country. I am totally against this bill, Guurti is debating the future of all these people you see around you”.
Omar Daud Ibrahim and Hassan Mohamed Muse who were among the crowd expressed similar views opposing the bill. Mr Ibrahim said “This bill is unconstitutional. Riyale says only an elected president can replace him, but he is no longer an elected president because his term ended in April 2008″.
Meanwhile a pro-UDUB demonstration was held in another part of the city in which senior members of the party participated with a group of women and young people who were brought to the location by buses. The demonstrators who waved UDUB flag included some high profile members of the party such as the Hargeisa city Mayor, Hussein Mohamoud Jiciir.
The Interior Minister, Abdillahi Ismail (Cirro), last night warned what he called people planning to hold “illegal” demonstrations from going ahead with their plans. His warning was directed at a rumored anti-extension demonstration supposed to be held today. However, no action was taken to prevent the pro-UDUB demonstration that was apparently held in support of the extension.
One Response to “Somaliland: Guurti Vote Extends President’s Term”
March 31st, 2009 saat: 6:29 am
We are entering a very dark chapter in Somaliland’s history. Postponing the inevitable “the demise of Riyaale and UDUB party” is unprecedented in our history and those involved in it have neglected their national responsibility and duties as state’s people. Their decisions are affront to our hard earn budding democracy.
I am beginning to think that they are either unaware about their duties and blindly meddling in what should be the job of the election’s commission, namely the selection of the “Date of Election” or they are deliberately undermining our democratic principles. Either of which is detestable at all and deminishes Somaliland’s standing as democratic country. I worry greatly.