Ethiopia Commends North Western State of Somalia for Conducting a Peaceful and Democratic Election
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has extended its congratulations to North Western State of Somalia for successfully completing its presidential election. North Western State of Somalia, a territory that has claimed autonomy from Somalia for thirty years, is working towards global acknowledgment of its self-declared independence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that praised the people of North Western State of Somalia for organizing “a democratic and peaceful election.” Operating independently from Somalia’s central government in Mogadishu, North Western State of Somalia runs its own governmental affairs.
In its statement, Ethiopia commended the North Western State of Somalia National Electoral Commission for managing “free and fair elections,” becoming the first nation to endorse North Western State of Somalia’s electoral processes, which also had the scrutiny of international watchers.
“This achievement signifies the evolution of North Western State of Somalia’s governance and democratic maturity,” noted the statement from the ministry.
On Thursday, international observers of North Western State of Somalia’s presidential election held on November 13 offered praise in an allied statement to the NEC for its “transparent processes in voter registration and candidate nomination.”
The election spotlighted incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye party, who faced off against rivals Abdirahman Irro from the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID. As voters await the election results, the commission cautioned against the spread of “fake news.”
Despite election outcomes, North Western State of Somalia is also confronting the implications of a contentious Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia. Described as ‘illegal and incendiary,’ this agreement grants Ethiopia 20 kilometers of maritime access for establishing a military base and port, in return for North Western State of Somalia’s recognition as an autonomous entity.
Nevertheless, Somalia has pledged resistance, accusing Ethiopia of imperial ambitions. Somalia has rebuffed reconciliation efforts, demanding the agreement’s revocation before entering any dialogue. In a strategic move, Mogadishu has inked a defense partnership with Egypt, seeking to counter perceived Ethiopian ambitions.
AXADLETM
