In what can be considered as another breach on the freedom of expression in Somaliland, government officials stopped the country’s former President of Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin from speaking to the media after his arrival from abroad at the Hargeisa Airport on Monday.
Dahir Riyale Kahin who was President of Somaliland from 2002 to 2010 is currently living in France and has returned to the country at a time when the country is in a electoral crises with the opposition pushing the government led by President Bihi to hold the electionsin November.
Why the government agencies blocked him from addressing the media remain unclear but the opposition has condemned the action saying it goes against the freedom of expression which is enshrined in the Somaliland constitution.
The Secretary General of the Wadani Party, Khadar Hussein Abdi said it was unfortunate a former president had been denied a chance to address the media.
“Dahir Rayale is the president who laid the foundation for the democratic process in Somaliland. It is unfortunate today that those who took control through that process can prevent him from talking to the press. said secretary Khadar Hussein Abdi.
He added: “We are very sorry for what happened to President Dahir Rayale this morning, and we condemn it as a party. We call on the government to apologize and take appropriate actions against whoever is responsible to take action.”
President Riyale later spoke to the media at his home in Hargeisa.
