Somaliland Elections 2017

BY MUSTAFE SAEED

After breaking away from Somalia in 1991, the self-declared state Somaliland went to the polls for the third time since their independence to elect their new president. Three candidates were competing to replace President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, who opted not to seek re-election: Muse Bihi Abdi of the ruling Kulmiye party, Faysal Ali Warabe of UCID and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of the Waddani party. Results of the 13 November elections, certified as free and fair by a team of 60 international observers, announced ruling part candidate Muse Bihi Abdi as the new president of Somaliland with 55 percent of the vote.

Day-after-day, i closely followed the election campaign until the most awaited announcement, capturing historical moments on the streets, in polling stations, and rallies, as well as in meetings of the three political parties in course.

It was moments worth sharing: people’s hopefulness and their unique expressions, street parties, youth and women’s engagement in the process, mothers running neighborhood offices for political parties, being at the core of community organization.

I was trying to share a colorful and bright inspiring side of this part of the world.

I’ve been following the elections and its preparations since 2016. I was able to go out and capture the registration, the campaigning and the general atmosphere; people sticking posters and stickers on cars, roaming the city with big speakers telling people through microphones to go out to the nearest voter registration spots.

And coming to 2017 and the elections, it was cheering to see people celebrating and going out while chanting different songs supporting the candidates, or women with drums dancing in circles in those different locations where rallies were happening. Each day, one party was allowed to campaign and go out for rallies, tons of people outside wearing different things representing their parties, colorful scenes throughout the city.

Poster by the National Electoral commission giving instruction for voters to register, part of the voters registration campaign

Volunteers sticking posters on cars for voters registration campaigns in Burao.

Gymnasitcs performance at the voters registration opening event in Burao .

Attendees at the voters registration opening event in Burao .

Volunteer from a local NGO using speakerphones while roaming the city encouraging people to register for Voting

The theree candidates of the presidential elections of Somaliland at the first Somaliland preisdential elections debate.

Ali Senyo moderating the first segment of the Somaliland presidential elections debate.

Muse Bihi Abdi, the elected president of Somaliland, prior the elections at the first Somaliland presidential elections debate.

One of the group volunteers assigned for timing the candidates debate at the Somaliland presidential debate.

Muse Bihi, the elected president, prior to the elections, with his cabinet discussing between segments at the first Somaliland presidential debate.

One of the group volunteers at the Somaliland presidential debate.

Social media team at the first presidential debate in Hargeisa.

WADDANI supporters on a car at one of the party’s campaign days.

Women chanting supportive songs at a KULMIYE party rally.

UCID supporters at one of the party’s campaign days at the Freedom Park in Hargeisa.

DJ fixing his system outside a neighborhood office of the WADDANI party, at one of their rallies day

KULMIYE supporters partying in a football ground the night prior the party morning rally

Holding his voting card ready to vote on elections day after the next weeks at one of the Kulmiye party campaigns day

At a Kulmiye party rally, supporters show off different prints on fabrics, stickers, and some paint their face and body.

A supporter at the UCID party rally

A Waddani rally in the Freedom Park of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa.

Political promotional signboards on road in Hargeisa.

Women chanting supportive songs at a KULMIYE party rally.

UCID young supporters on a car at one of the party’s campaign days.

WADDANI supporters partying outside one of the party offices in a neighborhood, preparing for the morning party rally

At the freedom park at one of the parties campaigns day.

Leader of one of the groups representing so-called ‘occupational castes’ leatherworkers, metalworkers and haircutters collectively known as the Gabooye, joins a Waddani rally on horse.

Kulmiye young supporters on a Bulldozer at one of the party’s campaign days.

People dancing in different circles a WADDANI rally in the Freedom Park of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa.

WADDANI supporter at a rally in the Freedom Park of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa.

Supporters of the Waddani political party on trucks campaigning on the streets before the election day

Dr Michael Walls, chief observer of the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) at press conference for the mission announcement prior the election day

Voters in queue outside the Tima Ade Basketball stadium where one of the polling stations was located.

Proud voter outside voting poll.

Selling watermelon to the voters in queues for cooling

People in the streets celebrating the victory of Muse Bihi from the ruling Kulmiye party.

BY MUSTAFE SAEED

Mustafa Saeed is an Artist, born in 1989. His work explores different mediums including Documentary photography, graphics and sound.
Mustafa’s work marries poetic symbolism with sociopolitical critique to explore issues of war, conflict and environment.
Based in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Curator of EverydayHornOfAfrica and Contributor to EverydayAfrica.