Deep concern at prospect of one-party race in Somaliland presidential vote, says Progressio

The UK-based team coordinating election observers for the forthcoming presidential elections in the internationally unrecognised Republic of Somaliland, has expressed its "deep concern" at political developments in the run-up to the much-delayed vote scheduled for 27 September 2009.

Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at University College London (UCL) and Somaliland Focus UK say in a joint statement: "In recent weeks, two of the three political parties in Somaliland have announced their intention to boycott the vote. While we remain committed to the need for an election as soon as possible, under the current circumstances the only possible outcome of a one party race would be seen by a significant proportion of Somalilanders as lacking legitimacy."

The statement continues: "We are therefore concerned about whether we are able to provide the coordination and observation role to which we have been committed to date, unless the situation changes markedly."

The coordination team also urges stakeholders in Somaliland to come together to solve the "critical dilemma" surrounding the elections and calls on the country's National Electoral Commission to ensure all political actors and parties who have demonstrated a commitment to participation in the electoral process are actively engaged as participants.

The UK-based team was invited to lead the election observation mission by the Somaliland National Electoral Commission in January. The team has been tasked with coordinating international election observers from four continents and preparing a report on the conduct of the campaign and poll following the vote. Support for the mission is being provided by the UK government.

Somaliland has long stood out as a "remarkable example of indigenous democracy in a corner of Africa that possesses more than its share of problems", the statement notes. It concludes: "Somaliland has a number of unparalleled opportunities to improve its standing internationally and domestically, with a successful presidential election standing as an essential next step on that path."

Read the full text of the joint statement

Somaliland Elections Joint Statement (Word 167KB)

Notes to Editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview with a member of the coordination team, contact Progressio's Media Officer, Jo Barrett, on +44 (0)7940 703911 or email jo@progressio.org.uk
2. Somaliland's Presidential elections have been repeatedly delayed, including polling days in December 2008 and on 29 March 2009.
3. Somaliland is situated in Somalia's northwest. It declared unilateral independence from the failed Somali state in 1991 and has since been a haven of relative peace whilst violence and instability has characterised Somalia, its capital Mogadishu and more recently the Gulf of Aden.
4. Progressio's involvement in the mission follows its leadership of the international monitoring team for Somaliland's inaugural parliamentary elections in 2005, judged by observers as "basically free and fair".
5. Progressio has been working with local communities in Somaliland since 1995 by placing skilled workers with local organisations specialising in advocating for the rights of women, youth and people with disabilities as well as supporting basic health service provision and people living with HIV and AIDS. Progressio also actively supports progress towards democratisation and stabilising the country.