Reporters and sources in Somaliland claim that a bomb exploded in the capital but Somaliland’s notorious security force has threatened to “deal with” any reporter or persons confirming the reports of an explosion. This is all occurring as violent protests occur around Somaliland in rejection of Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi’s attempt to seize power.
Somaliland Police have denied that a bomb explosion happened last night in Hargeisa as some journalists initially reported to the public. The Police said in a statement the sound people heard was a tire explosion.
Narrating the incident, the police clarified that at least two vulcanizers were injured after a tire which they were using an air pump to fill the tire exploded accidently. The report said the two victims sustained minor injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The police have issued a warning to the individuals who spread the “Fake News” to mislead the public. The statement of the police came few hours after Social media users and Journalists widely circulated the report of bomb explosion in Hargeisa that resulted in a public fear.
President Muse Bihi Abdi’s term in office expired on November 13. Yet, the Somaliland government canceled the scheduled presidential elections and, by decree, extended President Abdi’s current term in office by two years. In response, the two opposition parties in Somaliland joined forces and declared that they had stopped recognizing President Abdi as the legitimate president of Somaliland.
The BBC, which the Somaliland government banned from operating in Somaliland, reports that the Somaliland security forces have fired shots in response to the protestors. This is not surprising. As reported by Reuters on August 12, 2022, President Abdi’s security forces opened fire on pro-democracy protestors, killing five and injuring 100 people. Things seem to be different this time. Sources from Somaliland have informed Von Batten-Montague-York that average citizens in Somaliland are now arming themselves to confront the Somaliland regime.
Von Batten-Montage-York has been working on behalf of the U.S.-based pro-democracy organization, United Somali Alliance, for almost a year to stop this from happening. Von Batten-Montague-York’s managing partner had warned members of Congress that offering US funds, weapons, and recognition to Somaliland, a secessionist regime with a history of corruption, human rights violations, and violent suppression, was a bad idea.
The Somaliland regime will, without a doubt, put down the opposition and silence the pro-democracy voice this time. Nevertheless, Congress has inadvertently emboldened a violent clan-based regime, which will one day lead to civil war unless the international community intervenes to stop it. Von Batten-Montague-York has begun briefing congressional representatives on the escalating violence in Somaliland. Von Batten-Montague-York is calling on Somaliland supporters in Congress to intervene and pressure the Somaliland government not to open fire on its citizens.
