Somaliland opposition has vowed to defy President Muse Bihi’s order to ban street demonstrations.
Abdirahman Irrro, a presidential hopeful of Wadani party, one of the two opposition political parties championing the said it was within their democratic right to protests against dictatorship.
“The demos will continue and it is just the beginning until we get full democratic space and freedom from dictatorship and bad leadership,” he said.
He spoke as President Bihi said the government will not condone any further street protests till further notice and the government will deal with anyone who tries to hold demonstrations.
This after five people were reportedly killed and dozens injured on Thursday when the opposition started a new round of street protests to force for presidential elections to be held in November.
Police engaged the thousands of protesters in running battles for most of Thursday morning.
Later in the evening, President Bihi sent condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives and also prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.
according to Bihi, the chaos was caused by the irresponsible opposition’s decision to flout the government directive of peaceful protest.
He accused the two opposition parties UCID and Wadani for the chaos and said they will be held responsible for the loss of lives and destruction of properties as a result of them going against the constitution to hold violent demonstrations.
President Bihi said “As you are all aware there were unwarranted deaths and injuries of civilians. This could not have happened had the opposition followed the government directive to hold a peaceful protest.”
“These two opposition partie want the mantle of leadership by tarnishing the reputation of Somaliland. They want to give the impression that Somaliland is a chaotic country and spoil the peace.”
But the opposition say Bihi should do the noble thing and respect the law by calling for presidential elections.
“We have asked to sit down with him alongside religious and traditional leaders as mediators and he walked out. We were left with no option but to go to the streets,” said the opposition parties.
“Our protests were peaceful until the government unleashed police on us. So how have we broken the law,” the opposition added.
“It is the president who should be held responsible for the tensions in the country. He is breaking the law by clinging onto power against the constitution and the will of the people,” said Wadani leader Abdirahman Irro.
