Somaliland Opposition Joins Forces to Grab Control of Parliament

Two opposition parties in the self-declared republic of Somaliland said Sunday they had formed a coalition giving them a majority in parliament following long-delayed local and legislative elections. 

The territory in the north of Somalia declared independence 30 years ago but has never achieved international recognition.  But it has a functioning government and institutions, its own currency, passport and armed forces.  In the May 31 elections, more than a million voters were eligible to cast ballots to elect 82 lawmakers and 220 local councilors in a political system limited to three parties.