Hargeisa, SOMALIA – The government of Somaliland, the self-declared state located in the northwest regions of Somalia, has announced its elections for November 2024. Officials were supposed to hold these elections in 2022, which further eroded Somaliland’s claim to be a beacon of democracy in the region. They have now pushed back the initial scheduling for 2022 to November 2024, effectively extending President Muse Bihi’s term to seven years, two years beyond the mandated five-year period. This latest delay is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of a worrying trend in Somaliland’s political dynamics, where the extension of presidential terms has become the norm rather than the exception.
President Muse Bihi’s predecessor, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Siilaanyo,” also served more than seven years in office, despite being elected for a five-year term. The repeated postponement of elections and the extension of presidential tenures raise serious questions about the sincerity of Somaliland’s commitment to democratic principles and the strength of its political institutions.
Challenges to Democratic Integrity
The parliamentary elections held in May 2021, conducted alongside local district elections, highlights the discrepancy between Somaliland’s democratic rhetoric and its political reality. These elections were the first of their kind since 2005, meaning that Members of Parliament and local government officials had served an astonishing 16 years in office, more than triple their intended five-year terms. While politicians in Somaliland pointed to these elections as evidence of the region’s political stability, the fact remains that such long delays between elections are a far cry from the regular, timely democratic processes that characterize genuine democratic systems.
In addition to the apparent reluctance of Somaliland’s elites to adhere to democratic norms, the ongoing territorial dispute with the Sool Sanaag and Cayn – Khaatumo (SSC-K) region in northern Somalia presents another potential obstacle to the timely conduct of elections. SSC-K controls a significant portion of the territory claimed by Somaliland, approximately one-fifth of the total area. This dispute could provide President Muse Bihi with a convenient pretext to argue that holding elections is unfeasible due to security concerns and logistical challenges.
Territorial Disputes as Pretexts for Electoral Delays
As the anniversary of Somaliland’s declaration of independence on May 18 approaches, there are indications that the government may be preparing for another round of confrontations with SSC-K. In August 2023, SSC-K forces successfully defeated Somaliland in a series of battles, capturing a substantial portion of Somaliland’s heavy weaponry in the process. Somaliland is likely to face a similar outcome if it launches any renewed offensive against SSC-K, which would result in significant losses for Somaliland without necessarily weakening SSC-K’s position.
However, the political calculus behind such a move may be less about achieving a military victory and more about creating a justification for further delaying or even canceling the upcoming elections. By portraying the situation as too unstable or insecure to hold elections, President Muse Bihi and his allies could potentially extend their grip on power while maintaining a veneer of democratic legitimacy. This cynical approach to politics risks not only perpetuating Somaliland’s democratic deficit but also fueling unnecessary bloodshed and instability in the region.
The potential use of territorial disputes and security issues as pretexts for electoral delays in Somaliland not only questions the sincerity of its democratic commitments but also reveals a troubling pattern of governance that prioritizes political convenience over the principles of democratic integrity. It is therefore crucial for both local Somaliland leaders and the international community to scrutinize these pretexts closely and push for a return to timely and fair electoral processes.
