HARGEISA (SD) – The President of Somaliland met with French diplomats from Nairobi, who arrived in the capital city of Hargeisa, where they were warmly welcomed.

Bihi met with the delegation led by French Ambassador to Kenya Aline Kuster-Menager at the Presidential Palace, and discussed among other things, the contentious election issues.

The members of the French delegation included Political Adviser Lucile CARREZ, Head of Economic Services for East Africa and the Indian Ocean, Jerome BACONIN, Regional Financial Adviser, Heloise TOURNOUX, Head of the East African Development Agency, Caroline ABT and Ambassador MENAGER.

Sources close to the meeting said French diplomats had expressed concern about the enclave’s presidential election scheduled for November 13, 2022, which the president wants to postpone.

But a statement from the presidency after the meeting did not mention the electoral dispute discussions with the French diplomats, an indication that the administration is not taking the issues seriously.

Meanwhile, leaders of Somaliland’s opposition parties in Nairobi and Washington have informed the international community that the government is destroying the country’s electoral system.

UCID Chairman Eng. Chairman Faisal Ali Warabe is in Nairobi for meetings with Western diplomats to discuss the electoral dispute and the possible violence that could ensue unless a resolution is found.

While Wadani Foreign Affairs and Social mobilization secretaries met with US diplomats in Washington to explain the challenges facing Somaliland elections.

President Bihi is yet to give his consent to traditional elders’ committee that has been trying to mediate between the government and the national parties in recent weeks.

Opposition parties in Somaliland are opposed to the postponement of the presidential election, while the government wants to register new political parties, a move that could plunge the enclave into civil war.