Djibouti and Kenyan delegation to attend the inauguration of Somaliland President-elect Silaanyo
HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — Appointed presidential delegation representing the Republic of Djibouti and Kenya are expected to arrive in Hargeisa later today to attend the inauguration of Somaliland President-elect Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo on Monday July 26th, local sources said.
The Djibouti Delegation consisting of 12 members were appointed by President Ismail Omar Guelleh and will be led by the Minister of Finance, Ali Farah Adnan. Mr Adnan will be joined by Ali Abdi Farah, Minister of Communication and Culture, Mohamed Somali, Chairman of National Initiative for Social Development, Ahmed Hersi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Hashi Abdillahi Orrah, Senior Advisor to the President of Djibouti.
On the Kenyan side, it’s still unclear the number and the exact details about their delegation but sources close to the new administration indicated, the Kenyan delegation will arrive after the Djiboutians. A number of senior ministers is expected to be among those Nairobi sends to Hargeisa. This comes weeks after, former Kenyan Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi called on the Kenyan government to re-think its policy towards Somalia and immediately recognize Somaliland (see Former Kenyan minister calls for recognition of Somaliland). A number of senior Kenyan ministers and MPs support Dr Kituyi’s vision including the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
The newly-elected president, Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo, a British educated, won 49 percent of the vote in the June 26th presidential elections. The election has being hailed free and fair by international observers, organizations, media, neighboring countries and both by the United Kingdom and the United States.
The British PM David Cameron praised the election as “peaceful and credible” and promised to do more.
President Dahir Riyale Kahin, who managed around 33 percent of the vote gracefully accepted the defeat paving the way for a peaceful transition of political power. Mr Riyale said he will stay in politics as an opposition leader.
The results were endorsed by the Chief Justice Mohamed Hersi Omane on the 11th of July. Ever since Somaliland has been preparing it self for the inauguration of the President-elect. Police and military have been placed on red alert while large security contingents were taken to the border with neighbouring Somalia. Foreign intelligence led by the British have also been pouring into Hargeisa and large Somaliland Diasporas have managed to make their way into the country. Some are here to witness the historical day while others want to get a position in the new government.
The al-Qaeda-inspired al-Shabab operating in Somalia have voiced against the elections and urged people not to practice the ‘evil principle’ however more than half a million cast their votes.
Silaanyo will face a number of economic, social and security problems. Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges Silaanyo will have to overcome during his term. The region is largely known for it’s endless wars and the failed state of Somalia is just next door. Many Somalis are hoping Silaanyo will engage with Somalia – a country where he once held the Minister of Commerce portfolio.
The election was largely financed by a number of EU countries, UK and the United States. The UK plans to send a delegation to Hargeisa during the inaugurations from it’s embassy in Addis Ababa, its unclear if the U.S. will send anyone.
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silaanyo and his Vice Abdulrahman Abdullahi Ismael ‘Saylaci’ will take the oath of office on Monday July 26th for a term of five years.
Somaliland gained its independence from Great Britain in June 1960 and voluntarily merged with its neighbour, Italian Somaliland, forming what was known as the Somali Republic. But that union went sour after a short period and Somaliland was forced to take arms against Mogadishu. The regime in Mogadishu collapsed in 1991 and Somaliland declared the restoration of its sovereignty – however no nation has since accepted Somaliland.
Somalilandpress | Sunday, 25 July 2010
