Date: Thursday 27 June 2013
Venue: BIEA
Time: 2 – 5 pm
Entry: Prior RSVP
Since it declared independence in 1991, Somaliland has worked to develop a system of multi-party democracy. The result is a relatively complex but home-grown set of political arrangements, providing concessions to and incorporating different interest groups.
The most recent test of Somaliland’s commitment to democratic development came on 28 November 2012, when Somalilanders went to the polls to elect local councillors. The elections were monitored by hundreds of local and international observers who described them as largely peaceful and fair.
There is much to be learned from the process to further strengthen the democratisation of Somaliland. The lack of voter registration led to confusion, voter education was rushed, and legal frameworks need to be updated and clarified. While women’s representation increased by 400%, they achieved only ten of the 375 councillor positions.
In April 2013, Saferworld and the Somaliland Non State Actors Forum (SONSAF) released a report by the local election observers – Somalilanders Speak: Lessons from the 2012 local elections. The report provides a synthesis and analysis of civil society organisations’ observations and highlights the ways in which the electoral procedures and democratisation of Somaliland can be further strengthened.
The Rift Valley Institute Nairobi Forum and Saferworld are pleased to invite you on 27 June to a discussion on the lessons learned from the electoral process and on future prospects for democracy in Somaliland.