Somaliland’s 2017 presidential election: interview with Dr Michael Walls

In this extended interview by Edward Paice, Director of Africa Research Institute, Michael Walls reflects on IOEM’s mandate, the performance of the National Electoral Commission, the positives and negatives of the election, campaigning, voter registration and the increasing monetisation of politics in Somaliland. He also looks ahead to parliamentary and local council elections in 2019.

Further reading:

“International observers of Somaliland presidential election congratulate Somaliland as Supreme Court announces final result” (Somaliland Focus, 29 November 2017)

“International observers of Somaliland’s presidential election urge all parties to use legal channels to resolve post-election differences” (Somaliland Focus, 17 November 2017)

“International observers of Somaliland’s presidential election congratulate the Somaliland people on a peaceful poll and look forward to a peaceful conclusion to the electoral process” (16 November 2017)

“SONSAF, Domestic Observers Certify Presidential Election on Monday Concluded Faultlessly” (SomTribune, 15 November)

“Somaliland Votes next week. Its biggest challenges come after the election” (Scott Pegg and Michael Walls, Washington Post Monkey Cage, 10 November 2017)

“Q & A session with HE Dr Sa’ad Shire, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Somaliland” (Africa Research Institute, April 2017)

“Report by International Observers on the 2016 Voter Registration Process in Somaliland” (March 2017)

“Voter Behaviour in Somaliland” (Academy for Peace and Development/ Interpeace December 2016)

“The Economics of Elections in Somaliland: The financing of political parties and candidates” (Rift Valley Institute, 2015)

“Statebuilding in the Somali Horn” (Michael Walls/ Africa Research Institute, December 2014)