Somaliland has achieved political stability in finalizing the amendment of the Somali constitution – Africa Links 24

Somalia: “They have realized their mistake and created a constitution that legally recognizes Somaliland”

“If you conduct elections and achieve victory, when you take over the land, you will be accepted”

“Burco has been prepared for elections, and wherever they were most needed, they will be held if God wills,” Minister of Information of Somaliland

By: Cumar M. Faarax

Hargeisa – Minister of Information, Culture, and National Guidance, and Spokesperson of the Government of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Cali Hassan Mohamed (Cali Mareexaan), said that the Somali government has recognized the reality and created a comprehensive constitution for their country that does not include Somaliland.

The Minister also spoke about how the government he belongs to is committed to holding elections and the recent visit to Burao.

“Somalia is a government that we do not recognize their constitution and they have created it for themselves. In the seventy years that we have been apart, we have never shared a constitution or laws. In 1960 when we united, our constitution was rejected and they decided to go their own way in 1961. Their constitution is a personal work that they have created,” said Minister Cali Mareexaan.

The Minister of Information explained that Somalia has accepted their mistakes regarding their previous statements about Somaliland and their constitution. “Previously, when they spoke about Somalia, they would say ‘Somaliland will be okay and their constitution is fine,’ yet now you can see that they have realized their mistakes and created a constitution for themselves that legally recognizes their constitution in Somaliland. So Somalia has to abide by their constitution if they are in disagreement or otherwise.”

He said that Somaliland has a constitution approved by a wide majority of around 97% of the citizens of the Republic of Somaliland.

The Minister also emphasized that the government is determined to hold elections for the presidency and political parties on the scheduled date of November 13 of this year.

“The government and the KULMIYE party have previously confirmed the election, our system is in harmony, and even our finances have been prepared. Finally, the president has submitted the commission’s final member this week, so we are preparing for a good election as we have seen in the past and with a smooth process,” said the Minister of Information on SAHAN television, continuing “all opposition parties, not just the WADDANI party, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the elections. So we must not say we will not go to the polls and prepare slogans ‘failure and victory alternately’ if you intervene, when you take over the land, you will be accepted and valued.”

“When elections are close, discussions should be civil, and it’s said that an early fight is not a win and a late conflict is not a loss,” said the Minister.

When asked about what he observed during his recent visit to Burao, the Minister said, “Burao has been beautifully built, has seen a lot of progress, and where they were most needed, they will be held if God wills.”