The British Ambassador to Somalia Harriet Mathews has stressed on the importance of timely holding of Somaliland presidential and parliamentary elections slated for March 2017.
Stating that assessment indicate that the elections are technically feasible, the envoy who was briefing journalists at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa , said the issue of contended allocation of seats should be resolved after and not before the ballot since any further delay would impinge negatively on the repute of Somaliland as a bastion of democracy in the Horn region.
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Briefing the press on her visit to Hargeisa, Amb Mathews informed that she is pursuing issues related to various development projects funded by the United Kingdom especially as pertains to the rule of law and security.
“During this trip I shall put special emphasis on the judiciary and security sectors of which my government is heavily involved” said the diplomat adding that the issue of timely elections is also of prime importance despite the fact that they are the most expensive in the world.
While various members of the international community with a stake in Somaliland democratization process provide funds to elections in the country, the United Kingdom is the major donor, as relates to ongoing voter registration.
Queried on the silence of Britain on the disputed border in the east of the country in which Puntland, an administrative region of Somalia lays claim to, in lieu of the fact that it is her country which demarcated the boundaries, Amb Mathews acknowledged Britain’s lengthily association stretching from 1887 with Somaliland, which is a former protectorate said
“While mechanisms exist to settle such matters and disputes we shall provide upon request original maps,” the Ambassador said.
More at heart of the Briton is the freedom of press in Somaliland where her embassy in Mogadishu has plans to help with implementation of media laws and enhancement of journalistic skills as a prelude to deterrence of continued differences between the state and fourth estate that has ensued with numerous arrests and subsequent prosecution of reporters not to mention the three media houses proscribed.
During her working visit, the Ambassador’s entourage will engage various programmatic partners, hold meetings with political party leaders and President Silanyo.
So far she has already met with ruling Kulmiye party leaders.
British Ambassador to Somalia Harriet Mathews on the importance of timely holding of Somaliland