In a statement issued, today, the Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) called on the international community to ‘accelerate’ support of electoral process in the Republic of Somaliland.
On the same vein the forum that leads Somaliland’s non-governmental bodies presented their concern on the remaining time-frame leading to the projected Presidential and parliamentary elections of early 2017 at a meeting with His Excellency the President of ROS, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud ‘Siilaanyo’ at his office the previous evening.
The text of the Forum’s Press Release was as follows:
Press Release: Meeting between President of Somaliland and Civil Society
On June 20 2016: Somaliland Civil Society involving democratization process met with the President of the Republic of Somaliland his Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (SILANYO) at presidential palace.
The objective of the meeting was to brief the president on electoral issues with the focus on the finalization of the voter registration process and elections preparations.
The CSOs presented to the President of Somaliland their views and policy recommendations towards the electoral process which CSOs raised strong concerns about the timeframe and remaining assignments of the voter registration and elections preparations, which may hinder elections if all concerned stakeholders may not demonstrate consolidated efforts and further commitments.
The CSOs of Somaliland is committed to support the transparent process of free, fair and timely elections in the country on March 2017. The CSOs are currently an integral part of electoral process in their capacity as neutral body.
Therefore, the CSOs are calling for international community to accelerate their generous support provided to Somaliland in the areas of electoral process and together we need to realize that this is a crucial time for all of us to look forward holding presidential and parliamentary elections on March 27, 2017.
Finally, the President of Somaliland “encouraged to the CSOs to continue their support on the national issues including electoral process.”
signed
Mustafe Sacad Dhimbiil Chairman SONSAF
