SOMALILAND VOTES: Presidential candidates warn Puntland against blocking polls in Sool and Sanaag

Presidential candidates (L-R) Abdirahman Mohamed (Wadani), Muse Bihi Abdi (Kulmiye) and Fesal Ali Warabe (UCID) on a solidarity march Saturday.

Presidential candidates in Somaliland have warned against any attempts to stop elections in Sool and Sanaag regions by Puntland.

The candidates, Fesal Ali Warabe of UCID party, Muse Bihi Abdi (Kulmiye) and Abdirahman Mohamed (Wadani) said elections will take place in all territories under the control of Somaliland warning Puntland will be responsible should the process not take place in the two regions.

“Somaliland will hold election in all parts of its territory and not outside. We want free, fair and peaceful election. The announcement made in Puntland’s parliament is an external interference. We shall inform the international community,” Wadani candidate Abdirahman said.

Speaking during a joint media conference, Kulmiye’s Muse said the region needed peace and was not ready for any conflicts with Puntland.

“We warn Somalia especially Puntland that announced that Karkar (Bari region) will not hold elections. We need peace. We are tired of war. We have experienced it. Look back in history. We have never being defeated by an enemy.”

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Puntland parliament voted last week to halt elections in Sool, Sanag and Ayn (Khatumo) regions.

A Puntland elder Abdirahman Samatar Saturday rebuked the state president Abdiweli Gaas for not taking action to stop elections in the contested region.

“The politics of Puntland is not stable. Sool and Sanaag are out of sight and elections are to happen there. This administration is abandoning the locations along the highway. Currently you can see what is happening in Bosaso,” said Samatar.

Sool and Sanag regions are contested by Somaliland and Puntland.

UCID flagbearer Fesal Warabe pledged to hold Puntland accountable if elections are not conducted the two regions.

“I am telling the fraternal people who are neighbours that we have relationship, don’t sever our ties. I take pledge if I win the election, I will hold you [Puntland] accountable if you implement it because today we are doing an honourable work [elections] for Somalia”