SOMALIA - NEW SOMALILAND NATIONAL ELECTORAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002419

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - NEW SOMALILAND NATIONAL ELECTORAL
COMMISSION APPEARS COHESIVE AND DETERMINED

Classified By: Political Counselor Bob Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Summary: During November 25 meetings in Addis Ababa
with the Nairobi-based Democratic Steering Committee (DSC)the
new Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) appeared
united and eager to move forward on the election process. The
NEC agreed to the terms of reference for an international
team of experts, set to begin work in Somaliland within
weeks, and received statements of support from Somaliland
political party representatives. In addition, Somaliland
President Riyale made amends with the NGO Interpeace, a move
that will allow for the continuity of technical election
expertise. We think the political parties will almost
certainly seek to manipulate the election process as it moves
forward. We are, however, encouraged by the emergence of a
cohesive NEC that may be better able than its predecessor to
stand up to the political pressures to come. End Summary.


2. (C) During November 25 meetings in Addis Ababa with the
Nairobi-based Democratic Steering Committee (DSC) the
recently-appointed Somaliland National Electoral Commission
(NEC) appeared united and eager to move forward on the
long-stalled presidential election process. (Note: The
meetings between the NEC and the DSC occurred in the middle
of a five-day technical training. The DSC delegation was
comprised of EC and US officials and the UN SRSG's deputy.
End note.) Unlike the previous NEC, the commissioners spoke
with one voice and appeared to respect their new chairman.


3. (C) NEC members said they were eager to move forward and
were facing a great deal of public pressure to hold elections
as soon as possible. The NEC agreed to the TORs for an
international team of experts, set to arrive in Somaliland
within a few weeks. (Note: The team of experts was called for
in a six-point agreement between Somaliland's political
parties and will work with the NEC to make recommendations
for the election process and timeline.) NEC members said they
plan to set up a committee of representatives from the NEC
and the political parties to diminish distrust and ensure
that the parties understand the technical steps the NEC is
taking. The NEC Chairman asked donors to ensure the NEC's
independence by working exclusively with the NEC on technical
matters rather than engaging with the political parties. The
NEC expressed appreciation for the technical training it was
receiving and asked for additional assistance in employing
staff.


4. (C) During a joint meeting with the NEC, representatives
of all Somaliland's political parties made statements of
support for the new NEC and assured the DSC they were
committed to elections. The representative from Riyale's UDUB
party said he was glad the government had reconciled with the
NGO Interpeace, a move that will allow for continuity of
technical expertise. (Note: Riyale reportedly reached the
agreement with Interpeace after Interpeace made a public
statement acknowledging past mis-steps, promised not to hold
direct conversations with the parties, and pledged it would
limit its involvement to provision of technical expertise.
End note.) The political parties also agreed to TORs for the
panel of experts. All parties said the elections needed to
take place without delay, with the opposition parties
predictably stressing the importance of the timeline.


5. (C) In a separate meeting, Ethiopian State Minister for
Foreign Affairs Tekeda Alemu told the DSC that Ethiopia
wanted greater cooperation between the DSC and Addis Ababa.
He said he hoped the November 25 meeting would be the
beginning of closer collaboration. Tekeda described Riyale's
reconciliation with Interpeace as "major progress" and said
that Ethiopia wanted to engage with Somaliland in all areas
short of recognition. Tekeda worried, however, that
Somaliland politicians, in the interest of votes, will be
weak on extremists in Somaliland. Tekeda said a stable and
secure Somaliland is in Ethiopia's interest and, as such,
Ethiopia will do "whatever it takes" to ensure Somaliland's
stability.


6. (C) Comment: We think that the political parties will
almost certainly seek to influence the next steps in
preparing for the long-delayed elections. However, we are
encouraged to see a cohesive and strong NEC that may be
better able than its predecessor to stand up to the political

NAIROBI 00002419 002 OF 002


pressures to come.
RANNEBERGER