The newly-elected president of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamud Sillanyo, vowed Friday to campaign "vigorously" for international recognition of his republic in the Horn of Africa. "During my tenure as president I will vigorously fight for the recognition of Somaliland. The world must recognize our democracy," Sillanyo told AFP a day after the announcement of his election victory. "The first part of recognition of our independence is acquired as our people recognize themselves as a free country. What we are seeking is recognition by the outside world," he said in an interview. Sillanyo, a member of the dominant Issak clan, studied economics in Britain and served in the government of former Somali president Mohamed Siyad Barre. A former British colony tacked on to Somalia when the latter gained independence from Italy in 1960, Somaliland has remained reasonably stable, spared the clan warfare that has dogged Somalia thanks to the domination of the Issaks. It broke away from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of Siyad Barre plunged the country into chaos and anarchy.
An official of the hardline Shabaab militia that controls much of southern Somalia said: "The election is a sham and a dictation of anti-Islamic forces." "Sillanyo must denounce secession and implement Sharia (Islamic law). As far as the Shabaab are concerned... Somalia is united and we won't succumb to division," said the official who did not want to be named.
Sillanyo, elected for a five-year term, said his government will "concentrate on development and rehabilitation of public services". He expressed gratitude to outgoing president Dahir Riyale Kahin, from the Gaddabursi clan, "for his services to the nation, including the holding of democratic elections". On Friday evening Kahin accepted defeat gracefully. "This was a friendly match and at the end somebody had to emerge as a winner. I congratulate President Ahmed Mohamud Sillanyo and his Kulmiye party for winning the presidential election," Kahin told journalists. "I will remain in the country as an opposition leader and I will hand over my responsibilities immediately, in accordance with the law," he said, adding that as "the founder of democratic pillars in Somaliland" he did not want to undermine that achievement.
Sillanyo said he would maintain close links with Ethiopia and called on Somalia to sort out its problems. "Our neighbor Somalia needs peace more than anyone and it is the Somalis themselves who can achieve that. We are praying for peace in their country," he said. "The Ethiopians are our neighbors. They have always been friends of Somaliland," said Sillanyo, who takes over from his predecessor who came to power in 2002. Sillanyo's election marks the second democratic transfer of power in Somaliland since 1991.
Sillanyo, elected for a five-year term, said his government will "concentrate on development and rehabilitation of public services". He expressed gratitude to outgoing president Dahir Riyale Kahin, from the Gaddabursi clan, "for his services to the nation, including the holding of democratic elections". On Friday evening Kahin accepted defeat gracefully. "This was a friendly match and at the end somebody had to emerge as a winner. I congratulate President Ahmed Mohamud Sillanyo and his Kulmiye party for winning the presidential election," Kahin told journalists. "I will remain in the country as an opposition leader and I will hand over my responsibilities immediately, in accordance with the law," he said, adding that as "the founder of democratic pillars in Somaliland" he did not want to undermine that achievement.
Sillanyo said he would maintain close links with Ethiopia and called on Somalia to sort out its problems. "Our neighbor Somalia needs peace more than anyone and it is the Somalis themselves who can achieve that. We are praying for peace in their country," he said. "The Ethiopians are our neighbors. They have always been friends of Somaliland," said Sillanyo, who takes over from his predecessor who came to power in 2002. Sillanyo's election marks the second democratic transfer of power in Somaliland since 1991.
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Kulmiye’s candidate, Mr Ahmad Sillanyo won Somaliland’s presidential election. Mr Sillanyo’s party won 49.59% of the vote, while the ruling UDUB party got 33.23% and UCID party received 17.18%. The much delayed, hotly contested election took place on June 26th. The results of the election were announced by the Electoral Commission in a ceremony at Mansoor Hotel. In a press conference held before the results were announced, President Dahir Rayale Kahin pledged to accept the results of the election. Later on, President Dahir Rayale Kahin congratulated the new president Ahmed Sillanyo on winning the election.
MORE INFORMATION AND SOURCES:http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2010/440/4.shtml
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