Apr 11, 2008

Somaliland: Presidential Term Extended to 2009


Sample ImageA close vote in the Council of Elders, or Guurti, has extended President Kahin’s term amid a desire for stability in the coming months.

Below is an article published by the Somali Press Review:

In a meeting held in Hargeisa, the Somaliland Council of Elders (Guurti) extended Somaliland president’s tenure to remain in power one more year. 

65 members were present at the meeting. 3 members voted in favour of the extension, 3 members voted against, the chair of the meeting abstained. Security in and around the offices of the Guurti was beefed up.

The acting leader of the Council of Elders, Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Fure chaired the meeting and justified the decision to extend the president’s tenure on security grounds. He cited volatile security in Sool region and eastern Sanaag as a basis of the Presidential elections are slated to take place in April next year [2009].