Somaliland’s main opposition party, Waddani, has called for a demonstration in Hargeisa by its supporters on Monday, November, 18th, which the government has banned.
The Somaliland Police Commissioner, Brig. General, Mohamed Aden Saqadhi, in a press conference, declared that the proposed demonstration by Waddani supporters is an illegal one. The Commissioner stated that whilst public demonstrations are permitted under the Somaliland constitution, would-be participants need to advise the municipality and the law enforcement agency before preceding with their protests. Any other gathering which could lead to violence is considered a public order offense.
Meanwhile, the Waddani party insists that the demonstration will take place on Monday, and according to sources, two senior party officials, the Secretary-General, Khadar Hussien Abdi and the party spokesperson, Barkhad Jama Batun have been placed under arrest for calling their supporters to protest.
The demonstration had been called by the Waddani chair, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, “Cirro”, to oppose the recent decision by the Somaliland House of Representatives to approve the new National Elections Commission, (NEC).
Somaliland’s opposition parties, Waddani, and UCID, have rejected the new commission, mainly due to the nominations made by President Muse Bihi Abdi, and in particular that of a Kulmiye party member and former minister, Abdirashid Mohamud Ali, “Riyo Raac”.
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