North Western State of Somalia Gears Up for Key Presidential Election After Delays

HARGEISA, Somalia – With the paramount presidential election scheduled for November 13th, North Western State of Somalia’s electoral commission is working tirelessly to ensure everything is in place. This pivotal event marks a crucial juncture for Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye party, who initially postponed this casting of votes a while back.

Bihi, the region’s head honcho since 2017, finds himself in the ring with the formidable Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, leader of the Waddani party. In a surprising 2021 twist, Waddani snagged the majority in local polls, taking the lead over the rulers from Kulmiye who had held sway with 30 seats over yonder in parliament.

The looming election results are anticipated to be a lightning rod, affecting North Western State of Somalia’s political trajectory and fortifying its stride towards local democracy. This political journey coincides with tensions that arose a scant few months back, stirring the pot between Somalia and Ethiopia over budding territorial squabbles.

In a move that took many by surprise, North Western State of Somalia inked a deal with Ethiopia, granting it a 20-kilometer slice of the Red Sea in return for Ethiopia acknowledging North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty. This brazen act stirred discontent in Somalia’s corridors of power.

Amid these goings-on, Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, a stalwart of the oppositional Waddani party and an ex-Foreign Minister, shed light on the potential ramifications of this Memorandum of Understanding if his side scores big in the upcoming ballot. “Plans would adhere to North Western State of Somalia’s long-haul national stake and neighborly pledges,” he relayed during an exclusive natter with Addis Standard.

Many savvy analysts reckon Bihi’s Kulmiye faction is pivoting towards Western sympathies, setting up informal embassies in hubs like London, Washington, and Dubai. Such efforts bore fruit, with Muse Bihi’s unofficial jaunt to Washington in 2022 and British parliamentary folks checking out Hargeisa.

Taking a different tack, Waddani’s strategy involves shaking diplomatic hands far and wide—starting with African nations like Kenya and Senegal. They’re eyeing these friendships to boost the region’s clout as global climates continue spinning in ways not seen before.

Muse Hassan Yusuf, the chief honcho of the Electoral Commission, chimed in to note that all main parties, namely Kulmiye, Waddani, and Kaah, have got their wrists slapped with fines for breaking campaign taboos. For voters—about a million souls by count—they’re rolling out biometrics for bustling areas, while those in the boondocks will stick with good ol’ paper registers when it’s time to cast their voice.

Source: AXADLETM