Sunday August 25, 2024
FILE - Faysal Ali Warabe, Chairman of Somaliland’s opposition party UCID, addresses the media during a press conference in Hargeisa.
Hargeisa (HOL) — As Somaliland's November elections approach, the political landscape is growing increasingly tense, with the opposition Waddani party facing allegations of secret ties with Somalia.
During a press conference in Hargeisa, Faysal Ali Warabe, chairman of the opposition party UCID, accused Waddani's presidential candidate, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, of collaborating with Somalia in a bid to undermine Somaliland's independence.
"I've noticed that the Waddani party is actively involved in discussions about reuniting Somaliland with Somalia. It's clear that they strongly oppose the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia," Warabe said.
These allegations were initially raised by Somaliland's Minister of Parliamentary Relations, Abdinasir Buuni. Buuni pointed to recent remarks by Somali Prime Minister Habza Abdi Barre, who expressed optimism about changes in Somaliland's leadership, suggesting Somalia's preference for Irro as a potential leader.
Warabe also criticized Somaliland President Muse Bihi, accusing him of facilitating a visit to Hargeisa by former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo—a move Warabe claims he and fellow politician Abdiqadir Jirde strongly opposed. He further claimed that President Bihi allowed the President of Djibouti, whom he labelled an adversary of Somaliland, to mediate discussions between Somaliland and Somalia, which he described as politically misguided.
"We want to make it clear: Somalia no longer exists as a unified state. We will not engage in any further negotiations. Our decision is legitimate, but we currently lack effective governance," Warabe declared.
These accusations have added fuel to Somaliland's already volatile political environment, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has struggled to gain international recognition. The Waddani party has vehemently denied the allegations. The group, which recently formed a coalition with the political association Kaah, accuses the ruling administration of orchestrating a smear campaign to weaken the opposition as the elections approach. As part of the agreement, Kaah has endorsed Irro's presidential candidacy in exchange for key government positions if Waddani wins.
Earlier this year, Warabe accused Waddani of inciting tribal unrest. Warabe claimed that Waddani had orchestrated the riots to coincide with the departure of an American delegation investigating the situation in Somaliland. Warabe defended the arrest of Osman Omar Dool, a Waddani member, arguing that his detention was necessary to maintain order and prevent further violence."
Meanwhile, Waddani Chairman Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan has accused President Muse Bihi and his allies of deliberately creating conflicts to delay the elections and maintain power.