Election Issues in Somaliland

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 10 November 2022 a statement titled "Overcoming Somaliland's Worsening Political Crisis."

The ICG believes Somaliland's hard-earned stability is at risk.  The government and political opposition disagree on the sequencing of two upcoming elections.  The presidential election has been delayed and both it and the one to license the three political parties that will be allowed to participate are mired in schedule-related controversy.  

Stress Test for Somaliland's Democracy

 The Heinrich Boll Stiftung published on 27 June 2022 an analysis titled "Stress Test for Somaliland's Democracy" by Ulf Terlinden and Mohamed Ibrahim.  

Differences over plans to reshuffle Somaliland's licensed political parties and the sequencing of elections raise questions over the electoral calendar.

Somaliland's Followup after Successful Elections

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 12 August 2021 an analysis titled "Building on Somaliland's Successful Elections." 

Although long delayed, Somaliland held successful elections in May and August.  The ICG argues, however, that there must be renewed efforts to  include under-represented communities going forward.

Postponing Somaliland's Elections

The Institute for Security Studies posted on 19 March 2019 a comment titled "Somaliland's Fragile Democracy Faces More Election Delays" by Omar S. Mahmood.

Elections for Somaliland's Lower House of Parliament and the local councils scheduled for this month have been postponed to December for technical and political reasons.

Somaliland after the Election

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 10 January 2018 a commentary titled "Somaliland's New President Has Work To Do" by Omar S. Mahmood, ISS Addis Ababa.

Somaliland has achieved an impressive record of elections and peaceful transfer of power. But the vote last year was highly contested and divisions can carry over between electoral cycles and become further entrenched if not properly managed.

Somaliland's Foreign Policy

Pambazuka News published on 9 November 2017 a commentary titled "What Next for Somaliland's Foreign Policy After the Election?" by Yacqub Ismail, student at the University of Bristol.

In the run-up to Somaliland's 13 November presidential election, the author assesses Somaliland's foreign policy vis-a-vis countries in the region.

Somaliland's Upcoming Election

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 25 October 2017 an analysis titled "High Stakes for Somaliland's Presidential Elections" by Omar S. Mahmood, ISS, and Mohamed Farah, director of the Academy for Peace and Development in Somaliland.

The analysis covers Somaliland's presidential elections scheduled for 13 November 2017, which come as the country faces pivotal political and security issues.

Somaliland: A Critical Analysis

Pambazuka News published on 24 August 2017 a commentary titled "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Existential Crisis Facing Somaliland" by Ahmed M.I. Egal, a Somalilander who grew up in Europe.

This is a highly critical account of the current Kulmiye government and the political opposition as presidential elections approach in November of 2017.

Somaliland's House of Elders Creates Political Crisis

The International Crisis Group published on 21 May 2015 an analysis titled "Somaliland's Guurti Sparks a Crisis" by Cedric Barnes and Claire Elder.  The Guurti or House of Elders announced a two-year extension of the current government's term, including further postponement of the presidential and parliamentary elections due this June.  The announcement prompted widespread protests.