The government received a massive blow in its growing autocracy as the members of the House of Representatives showed support for the opposition in their plans to hold demonstrations to push for presidential alections.
Just three days after the government and security agencies said they will deal ruthlessly with pro-democracy protests, the members of the House of Representatives in a press conference said the opposition parties should be allowed to hold a peaceful and a lawful protest.
The over 30 MPs from the opposition parties of Wadani and UCID, said that they are dismayed that individuals who have sworn to uphold the law are opposing a prodemocracy rally.
The MPs called on the people not to be afraid, saying that they will hold a peaceful protest in opposition to President Muse Bihi’s desire to extend his term and subvert the young democracy.
They added that as parliamentarians, they have sworn an oath to the constitution, and they would not allow anyone to disturb Somaliland’s stability, but are only doing what is legal.
Somaliland is at crossroads with heightening political tension occasioned by the government’s reluctance to commit to holding presidential elections in November as per the constitution.
President Muse Bihi term in office comes to an end in November but he is yet to announce if the elections will be held. Instead he is pushing for registration of political parties.
The opposition meanwhile are demanding for the elections to be held first before the registration of political parties. They have threatened to go to the streets if the government fails to commit to holding the elections as scheduled.