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Somali Militants Warn Somaliland's People Not to Vote

   VOA News 25 June 2010

   An  al-Qaida-inspired  Somali  militant group has warned people in the
   northern  breakaway  republic  of Somaliland not to vote in Saturday's
   presidential elections.
   The warning from al-Shabab was posted on the Internet in the form of a
   purported audio recording by its leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane.
   The  voice  on  the recording says those who take part in the election
   will, quote, "face the consequences."
   Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991,
   but is not recognized by the international community.  The region has
   seen relative peace and stability, unlike the rest of Somalia.
   The  Somali  government  controls  only  small  parts  of  the capital
   Mogadishu amid continuing fighting with Islamist militants.
   The  vote  Saturday  is  a  contest between Somaliland President Dahir
   Riyale  Kahin  and  two  challengers  -  Ahmed  Mohamed Silanyo of the
   Kulmiye Party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID party.
   Mr. Riyale's term ran out in April 2008 but officials have delayed the
   election three times, most recently last September.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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