Somaliland's Readies For Upcoming Election
September 16, 2008

The government of Somaliland this week has announced that it would commit 30 percent funds required for the registration of voters for the horn of African nation’s upcoming elections, seventy percent of the fund has already been pledged by donors for the general elections slated for next march.

In an exclusive interview with SSI, Somaliland’s minister of Finance Mr. Husein Ali Duale stated that despite the current global food and oil price hikes taking a toll on the nation all efforts are being made to carry out a successful election.

Minister Husein Ali forecasted that UDUB, the incumbent party of Somaliland will win the upcoming elections with majority because of the achievements made by the party. “I know my political friends Mr. Siilaanyo and Mr. Waraabe, the two chairpersons of the opposition parties couldn’t cope with the international community because there will be problems which they do not have the capability to solve with courage.

But the current president of the republic of Somaliland and his Vice president who will once again stand for election. President Rayaale have the knack to lead Somaliland and solve easily the internal problems of the nation”, said Minister Husein Ali.

In the unlikely event that UDUB looses in the upcoming elections Minister Husein Ali said that the party would make efforts for a smooth handover of power to the victor.

“that is how it goes if we want to show the world we are maintaining a strong democracy, but I don’t think the opposition candidates will get a chance to lead the country because they have nothing to show the voters and people can see right now who they are going to be with”, said Minister Husein Ali.

The minister showed concern in preparing for the upcoming presidential elections in light of the prevailing global food and oil crisis.

“Somaliland in respect to other nations receives little support from the international community because of its recognition as a state is still in limbo. Had we been given recognition our ability to cope with the global economic crisis would have been more effective”, said minister Husein Ali.

According to Minister Husein Ali the delay in international recognition inhibits the nation’s ability from soliciting loans from donors as well as international banks. As a result to cope with the prevailing international economic turmoil the government had to redesign its annual budget.

“We carefully tried hard to support the most affected people who couldn’t afford to continue their daily lives normally either in water shortage or the high prices of food and oil. we strongly built our police and military either by equipping them lightly or paying them all the necessary payments so we could defend our borders in Sool and east of the Sanaag regions and now we are willing by November to change the old Somali shillings currency in the Togdher region, its big a achievement”, said Minister Husein Ali.

Minister Husein Ali also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue in the tasks of nation building despite the problems of high prices of food and oil.

The minister further talked about the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia and mentioned that relations are improving and the government is planning to send a big delegation after the Ramadan fasting season to hold further discussions on expanding trade between the two neighborly nations.

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Source: Qaran News