Somaliland: President Siilaanyo eases deadlock over ruling party congress

Hargeisa – Somaliland President, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo) has intervened in crisis within ruling Kulmiye party, putting disputes to an end on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Ruling Party leader Musse Bihi Abdi met with two contenders-Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Bihi Yonis and MP Ahmed Abdi Kijandhe-who have strongly contested the preparation by Abdi, of congress venue and date at Kulmiye headquarters in the capital, Hargeisa.

Opposing figures reached deal over moot points, agreeing that conference be jointly prepared by ruling Kulmiye party leader and Defence Minister Ahmed Haji Ali Adami, with the latter being tasked with consulting role.

The understanding has come after the four candidates weighing in on presidential run under Kulmiye held separate meetings with President Siilaanyo.

Former Finance Minister, Abdiasis Mohamed Samale, a vocal pponent of Abdi was not spotted at a press conference by the ruling party heavyweights.

The squabbling has threatened to splinter Kulmiye party ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections in early 2017.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.