Somaliland: Reports of fatalities and injured civilians after protest against the delayed presidential election

Update: One protestor killed and 5 others injured after security agents used live bullets to disperse an opposition demonstration in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi aka Irro had called for a protest against the delay of presidential election” (Dalsan TV, 11.08.2022).

Police officers in Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa filmed opening fire on protesters at close range. At least two protesters were killed in the city with more than 16 others wounded” (Somali Guardian, 11.08.2022).

Faysal Cali Waraabe, chairman of UCID party says to protestaors “we shall arm ourselves against the administration!” Commander of Hargeisa Central Police Station to policemen “fire at the people at low flying angles” Tensed situation in Hargeisa with fires in many places” (The Daily Jubba, 11.08.2022).

Press conference by the Police confirms the death of three civilians and many others injured. We do not know or have further information. Human Rights Centre condemns the violence that took place today during the protests. This is a crisis that needs peace and dialogue. However, the act of shutting down the internet by the government has blindsided the public and their right to access to information. We condemn this and require that telecommunication companies stay impartial in this crisis” (Human Rights Centre Somaliland, 11.08.2022).

The Government of Somaliland has brutally cracked down on the opposition in the capital of Hargeisa today. This has been done on the watch of the President Muse Bihi Abdi. Who was elected to the Presidency in 2017 and there would be a re-election this year. As his mandate as President would be over. That’s why the opposition are calling for elections, because the term of President Bihi is soon over.

The authorities and government is clearly using brutal means to silence and oppress the dissidents. The calls for an early elections is fallen on death ears. The opposition has been able to get the public on the streets, but we see the answers from the authorities themselves. They are in contempt of the public rights to demonstrate and call out their grievances.

We should now expect opposition parties to call the Kulmiye Party and it’s government illegitimate. The calls of tyranny and dictatorship is already being heard, which is fair as the people are dying on the streets after the orders of lethal fire against innocent civilians. No party or government should see the need of lethal force against unarmed civilians who are demonstrating. Loyalist of the President has already used arms and killed civilians. That shows what sort of leadership that is in-charge of it all in the Hargeisa.

Time will tell how this will go from here. However, things will be rocky and the tensions will not be over fast. The tides are changing and the opposition is daring to challenge the President. Certainly far from over.

Eyes should be on Somaliland in the days ahead. Because, the true character of Bihi is out and everyone should acknowledge that. Peace.

Somaliland: Counting Misinformation about COVID-19 in Somaliland (17.05.2020)

Somaliland: Ministry of Health – Daily Situational Report on COVID-19 for the Republic of Somaliland – COVID-19 National Daily Briefing (03.05.2020)

Somaliland: Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance – Office of the Minister – Press Release (07.03.2020)

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Press Statement (01.02.2020)

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Press Statement (07.01.2020)

Somaliland: Press Statement on the Government of Somalia’s Approach in the Dialogue Process (19.07.2019)

Somaliland, Education Cannot Wait and UNICEF launch multi-year programme to provide education to more than 54,000 children affected by crises (13.07.2019)

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Statement (05.07.2019)

Somalia’s destiny lies in the hands of the people, highlights outgoing UN envoy (14.09.2018)

Despite remarkable achievements in Somalia in the recent past, structural challenges remain and continue to undermine the country’s security and political stability, the United Nations envoy for the country has warned.

DAKAR, Senegal, September 14, 2018 – Briefing the Security Council for the last time in his capacity as UN Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating called on all Somalis to draw strength from the positive transformations going on inside the country and work collectively for the common good.

“The future of Somalia is in the hands of the Somalis,” he declared.

In particular, Mr. Keating – who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) – urged unity among political leaders.

“The more [they] show unity, the greater the opportunity, and the responsibility, of international partners to invest in all parts of the country and its leadership,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. Keating highlighted four key concerns the country’s leaders need to address, and issues that the international community should keep focusing on.

These include the threat posed by the Al Shabaab and other extremist groups; the risk of political differences overshadowing progress in legislative, reform and security areas; fragmentation within the international community; and the danger of a humanitarian “catastrophe”, especially with most of the population already living in precarious circumstances due to climate change and other vulnerabilities.

“Future crises will result from the combination of climate related shocks; armed conflict provoked by Al Shabaab and unresolved grievances; competition over natural resources; and systemic marginalization of certain groups,” warned Mr. Keating. He underscored the need to reduce the vulnerability faced by ordinary Somalis, through job creation and smart investments that safeguard natural resources and help unlock the enormous economic potential of the country.

Besides political will, Mr. Keating underscored, success will depend on leaders from the political, business and traditional spheres “working together for the common good, leveraging the country’s potential wealth to transform prospects for people – especially the young.”

On 1 October, Nicholas Haysom will replace Mr. Keating as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the head of UNSOM. Mr. Keating was appointed the top UN official in the Horn of Africa nation in November 2015.

Women have brought ‘important voices’ to Somali politics

Alongside Mr. Keating, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director of the UN gender equality and empowerment agency for women and girls (UN Women) highlighted the “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that Somalia currently has to establish lasting peace, and gender equality.

She commended the nation for improving representation of women in public office, illustrated by the “jump” in women’s representation in parliamentary elections from 14 to nearly 25 per cent of seats in the most recent elections.

This progress, she underscored, has brought many “important voices” to Somali politics.

She said it had brought to the centre “the fight to end child marriage, end female genital mutilation (FGM), and change laws that discriminate against women,” noting that the participation of women will be further boosted if more leaders, especially clan leaders, embrace gender equality and support women.

She also called on the international community and the Security Council to support Somalia’s federal and provincial authorities, advance gender equality, act strongly against sexual and gender-based violence, advocate for meaningful participation and recognition of women in all sectors, and support women’s groups in the country.

“Women’s organizations in Somalia are organized. They are dedicated to their country: they are activists, advocates, entrepreneurs, professionals, and patriots,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, noting that as the country prepares to confront the challenges in the days ahead, “women will make the difference.”