Somaliland’s Ruling Party Faces Worrying Crisis, As Presidential Election Date Gets Closer
HARGEISA, Somaliland Feb 5 (Somaliland.Org)- UDUB, Somaliland’s ruling party is in shambles, as a former senior UDUB Minister states that his party will not win the upcoming presidential election, Somaliland.Org reports.
The ruling party, already split into two factions ahead its major convention, has entered yet into another deeper crisis as the faction led by President Rayaale concluded their convention. The conference, which was reportedly attended as many as 700 delegates, has nominated President Rayaale as the party’s presidential candidate, while the other competitors were refused entry to the conference hall.
In a press conference, a prominent UDUB politician, and a former Home Minister, Mr. Ismail Aden Osman, said yesterday, that it is unlikely that his party will win the upcoming presidential election, scheduled on 29 March 2009, accusing President Rayaale of banning potential candidates from competing with him for the party nomination. He said ‘KULMIYE, Somaliland’s main opposition party, has wider public support and is better placed to win this election. ‘ I can’t see my party snatching a victory from KULMIYE, our party is high jacked by a few people and the public lost confidence in the president as a consequence, said Mr. Osman
In a statement at the conference, President Dahir Rayaale has spoken about the country’s past history and the achievement of the former Somaliland leaders and stated that his government will not tolerate anyone who attempts to endanger the security and the existence of Somaliland. ‘We know there are elements within us who constantly undermine our efforts, read the statement.
However, critics pointed out that the president’s speech lacks new policy initiatives and does not show future ambitions for the nation, adding that the statement was full of attacks directed at the other UDUB faction and the opposition parties.
Independent media was banned from the conference as well as some UDUB politicians who were deemed to be opposed to Rayaale’s nomination as well as those who would stand for the nomination to compete with Mr. Rayaale.
A rival conference led by the leader of the other UDUB faction, Mr. Abdillahi Iman ‘Darawal’ is still going on at the Deeq Alla Hotel, a few meters way from the President’s office. It is expected that this conference will also produce presidential candidates for UDUB party. Opposition leaders and international stakeholders fear that the ruling party’s deepening internal crisis may impact on the election timetable and the national security.
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