With Somaliland’s election just days away, President Muse Bihi Abdi has called on citizens to rally behind his Kulmiye party, emphasizing its role in securing international recognition and stability for Somaliland.
Addressing the nation in a recent televised speech, Bihi stressed that Somaliland is at a historic crossroads, asserting, “We have forged valuable partnerships, not for personal gain but to advance Somaliland’s rightful place on the world stage.” Since his election in December 2017, Bihi has made diplomatic progress a priority, noting efforts to build alliances, including ties with Kenya and Guinea, as key steps towards achieving global legitimacy. His visit to Kenya in December 2020, for example, was a milestone, though it led Somalia to cut ties with Kenya over what it saw as a breach of sovereignty.
Bihi’s campaign comes amid regional tensions linked to an agreement signed in January with Ethiopia, allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via Somaliland’s Berbera port in exchange for Ethiopia’s acknowledgment of Somaliland’s sovereignty. While Bihi described the deal as a significant stride toward international recognition, Somalia condemned it as a violation of its territorial claim over Somaliland, prompting the expulsion of an Ethiopian diplomat from Somalia. The controversy underscores the geopolitical complexity facing Somaliland’s bid for independence.
Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has geared up for the upcoming vote with enhanced security measures, including biometric checks for its 1.3 million registered voters to maintain election integrity. Since campaigns launched on October 19, candidates have focused on issues of security, economic progress, and sovereignty.
Despite Bihi’s optimism, Kulmiye faces strong opposition from the Waddani party, led by Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Irro), and the UCID party, led by Faysal Ali Warabe, a seasoned candidate who has contested each presidential election since 2003. Irro’s Waddani party presents a real challenge, with significant support aiming to unseat Kulmiye from its parliamentary majority.
As the election draws near, Somaliland stands poised for a potentially transformative decision on its future path, encompassing aspirations for recognition, economic prosperity, and enduring regional stability.
