Independent journalists in Somaliland have expressed concern over the upcoming Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) elections.
SOLJA is expected to hold its 7th Conference in Hargeisa later this month.
During the conference, the association would be electing a Board of Directors (BOD) to serve for the next three years.
Nevertheless, independent journalists believe that the preparations for the elections are not of the required standard.
They doubt if “democratic elections” would truly take place in this month’s polls.
Furthermore, they hit out at the failure by the current leaders to allow or create an atmosphere that promotes “open discussions.”
The journalists expressed strong reservations and suspicions over the upcoming elections.