Somaliland gears up for crucial elections amid rising tensions

As Somaliland prepares for the pivotal presidential and legislative elections on November 13, efforts to ensure a transparent and secure electoral process are intensifying.

However, underlying tensions persist in some regions, casting a shadow over the historic vote.

A recent statement from Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined extensive preparations for the elections.

According to the ministry, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has completed final checks on the voter lists and validated all candidacies.

Electoral commissioners have been dispatched to various regions to oversee polling stations, and international observers are in the process of being accredited.

A significant portion of the national budget—one-third—has been allocated to election security.

In Lasanod, a city in the Sool region that has been at the heart of territorial disputes with Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia, the ministry reiterated its commitment to “peaceful dialogue,” emphasizing that these talks will continue beyond the elections.

On the economic front, the development of the Berbera Corridor remains a focal point.

This initiative aims to boost regional economic integration by linking the port city of Berbera, located along the Red Sea in northwestern Somaliland, with landlocked nations in East Africa, such as Ethiopia.

By enhancing trade routes, Somaliland hopes to strengthen economic ties and foster growth in the region.

The ministry also raised concerns about Qorilugud, an area in the eastern region of Buuhoodle near the Puntland and Ethiopian borders.

This region has been plagued by tribal and territorial disputes. “We do not seek war, but Somaliland has a duty to protect its citizens and its territory,” the statement read.

The government concluded its address with a plea to the international community, stating, “International solidarity is vital to uphold the principles of peace, democracy, and sovereignty.”

The statement called on regional actors to refrain from interfering in the electoral process.

Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital and administrative hub, stands ready to host these critical elections, which are seen as a defining moment in Somaliland’s pursuit of stability and recognition in the Horn of Africa.