Zimbabwe's Electoral Meddling Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

Somaliland is poised to hold national elections on November 13, 2024, amidst ongoing efforts for international recognition and a recent agreement with Ethiopia that could alter regional dynamics. The electoral committee, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled, faces criticism for its formation, which some, including MP Abdirahman Abdi Shakur, deem unconstitutional. In Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has become increasingly unpopular, evidenced by being booed at a regional inauguration, highlighting backlash against his alleged meddling in neighboring countries' electoral processes. Meanwhile, the Somali parliament is preparing for elections set for June and September 2025, with the establishment of a National Independent Electoral Commission as mandated by the National Consultative Council. Somaliland, having declared independence from Somalia in 1991, continues to navigate its status as an unrecognized state while striving for stability and democratic governance. The upcoming elections are seen as a critical test for Somaliland's political landscape and its aspirations for legitimacy in the international community.