The government today met opposition protesters with brutal force as police engaged the demonstrators in running battles.
A day after the government had allowed the opposition to hold peaceful street protests, it turns out this was a hoodwink as police officers were deployed in the streets.
Earlier, the government cut off internet connection in major towns of Somaliland to forestall communication between the organisers and participants of the countrywide demonstrations called by the opposition parties.
The two main opposition parties had called on the demonstrations to protest against the government’s failure to set a date for the presidential elections.
While the protests went on, there were ugly scenes in Somaliland with police engaging in running battles with opposition supporters.
On Wednesday, the Somaliland government reached an agreement with opposition leaders from UCID and Waddani parties to allow demonstrations against the government for delaying presidential elections.
The opposition and the government agreed that the protests should take place at the party headquarters between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon and that the opposition leaders will be accountable for any issues the protestors cause, the Minister stated at a press conference in Hargeisa.
But the government reneged and cut off internet communication and attacked the opposition supporters who were demonstrating peacefully in the streets of the major towns in the country.
Opposition leaders are demanding that the government hold elections on November 13.
