Hargeisa July 20, 2023 (SD) – The international friends of Somaliland less the United States government have today released commended the controversial decision of the Electoral Commission on the schedule of the elections for the political parties and the presidency.

“The international friends (Austria, Denmark, Ethiopia, the European Union delegation, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) have noted the progress made by the Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC), which defines the dates for the elections of political parties in December 2023 and the presidential election in November 2024. We realize the concern of Somaliland that it has reached this stage. We are now encouraging all parties concerned to move forward with a political agreement that is the basis for stability.” said the partners in a statement.

International friends have called on the citizens and political parties of Somaliland, encouraging them to participate in the elections.

“The people of Somaliland are calling for an opportunity to have their democratic rights in a free and fair election, so there will be no further delay in the progress of those elections. We call on all political leaders of Somaliland to observe the time, which is a way to confirm the recognition of Somaliland’s democracy.” The international friends said again.

Finally, they said that the Parliament should fill the gaps in the law to hold the country’s delayed elections.

“Moving forward, we encourage all relevant parties, including the parliament, to urgently resolve the technical, financial, political, and legal gaps in the GDQ” concluded the statement from the countries that participated in the press release.

The partners did not address the fact that two of the commissioners appointed by the opposition were not involved in setting the election roadmap, adding there are no electoral laws for Party elections.

The United States, which Muse Bihi spent a lots of money lobbying, was silent on the Electoral Commission’s controversial roadmap of the elections.