The Somaliland government stands to lose heavily after it emerged the UK government has suspended its support for Somaliland Police following it’s brutal attack on opposition demonstrators on June 9 in Hargeisa.
The move by the UK government is a huge blow to the Somaliland government as it stands to lose massive funding on its operations.
Sources close to the SomalilandReporter further intimate that other international partners who have been supporting the government may follow the UK in withdrawing their support in different areas.
The International Partners, which includes the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Scandinavian countries, support Somaliland in the areas of democratization and provide capacity-building programs to various government entities, including the Somaliland Police.
Somaliland police opened fire on demonstrators who were holding peaceful protests in support of the opposition’s move to pressure President Musa Bihi to hold presidential elections by November.
Several demonstrators were injured while some opposition leaders and journalists were arrested with fresh reports from the human rights groups saying those in custody are being tortured.
Opposition parties have accused the government of using excessive force, live fire, tear gas, and unlawful incarceration of opposition figures, journalists, and protestors.
WADDANI presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro had his security detail attacked as police fired towards him in what he has termed as an attempted assassination.
The detained leaders are yet to be formally charged.
Early this week, the European Union and other international partners expressed concern at the growing incidents of police brutality on opposition leaders.
In a statement, they said: “International partners following Somaliland’s democratization process are very concerned by the violent incidents that occurred during the political protests in Hargeisa. We urge restraint from all sides in order to de-escalate the situation and prevent harm and injury.”
