Somaliland: Warring Opposition Parties Bury the Hatchet, Agree to Form a New Opposition Alliance
Hargeisa, July 25, 2013 (SDN) —Somaliland’s two official opposition parties, Justice & Welfare Party-UCID and WADDANI party have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on yesterday with the aim of establishing a united front against KULMIYE led government of president Silanyo.
In a joint press conference held in Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa the leaders of the two opposition parties have announced that they had buried the hatchet and agreed to form a new alliance that will face the current government of Somaliland.
The chairman of UCID party Eng.Faisal Ali Warabe and the chairman of WADDANI party Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro) told reporters covering the event that for the sake of the country we have decide to put our differences aside hence our pledge today to form a untied opposition front to the current government of KULMIYE and to find ways to counter the worsening situation of economic and political affair in the country.
Prof Abdirashid one of the delegates tasked with drafting the agreement took the privilege to read it aloud the contents of the MOU in a packed hall.
The ten points agreed are as follows:
1. The setting up of a joint committee in a bid to foster closer working relations between the two parties.
2. The two political parties shall now and henceforth work together in an effort to safeguard and defend the constitution and uphold the laws of the country.
3. The opposition parties will from now on work with the current a government in a bid so as to attain full international recognition.
4. The opposition will hold continuous consultation so as to monitor the political and economic situation of the country.
5. The two political parties will discuss and shall hold broad consultation with parties concerned so as to find ways in which democratically electoral process can be held in the country in due time.
6. The opposition is ready to work with the ruling party (KULMIYE) so as to safeguard the national interests of the country.
7. The two parties shall refrain from attacking each other verbally through the media or any other medium whatsoever.
8. The two sides shall jointly resolve any conflict that arises between through peaceful and civilized manner.
9. Both sides will work closely concerning matters related to the national electoral commission and the various stakeholders.
10. The joint committee set up by both parties shall be responsible for taking disciplinary action and shall therefore penalize anyone in breach of the agreement entered both sides.
SD Hargeisa