HARGEISA (SD) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, finally addressed the country’s election dispute, acknowledging the businessmen mediation committee proposed the dispute be resolved through lawmakers.

President Bihi, who gave a speech at this year’s Hargeisa University graduation ceremony, said that he was aware of the mediating businessmen’s proposal prior to them telling the country.

The president seemed to have contradicted Somaliland’s Deputy Security Minister Abdillahi Hussein Mohamed, who yesterday accused the mediating committee of bias.

The president, who was expected to announce his decision, did not directly announce whether he accepted the businessmen’s proposal or not, only admitting that he discussed the proposal with them.

The President is reportedly buying time as the Guurti house is working to extend his mandate, a move widely seen as illegal and could escalate the dispute.

The presidency, desires to postpone the presidential election and register new and weaker parties, while the opposition strongly opposes the move calling it illegal.