Kulmiye Party condemns oppositions’ rhetoric over President Bihi’s legitimacy

The government of the self declared independent state of Somaliland has criticized the decision by the opposition parties over President Muse Bihi’s legitimacy as the President of Somaliland following the ending official term in office of President Bihi on 13th November, although his first has been  extended for two years by the house of elders.

The National Organizing Secretary of the ruling Kulmiye party, Mr. Saleeban Said Ali, described the move as “a Political misfortune” and similar as not recognising the existence of any government in Somaliland.

The opposition parties have denounced the executive arm of the government for failing to hold elections on time. 

Mr. Salebaan said security agencies need to enforce law and order against anyone opposed to the government of Somaliland. 

Meanwhile, the Police chief Mohamed Adam (Dabagale) threatens that if anyone tries to disrupt the security will be arrested by the police and brought to law even if he is a senior official.

Somaliland’s current dispute centers on which of the two elections will be held first: Presidential or Political Parties and Associations. 

The opposition parties claim the presidential elections should be held first, and have accused the President of deliberately delaying it by disbanding the previous National Election Commission.

President Bihi has the entire year insisted that no other ballot can precede the political parties’ election while the opposition declined and determined the Presidential election to come before the other election. 

The two opposition parties repeatedly claimed not to recognise Bihi as “the legitimate ” President after 13 November which the officials term in office of President Bihi will finish if he does not accept the Presidential election to come before the political parties’ election. 

Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland had last month announced postponement of it’s scheduled presidential election to next year, rather than holding it in November when the incumbent president’s term ends, the region’s electoral body announced.  

In August deadly protests broke out in the region with demonstrators demanding elections be held in November amid suspicions President Muse Bihi Abdi wanted to delay the poll and extend his term.