The newly formed, powerful political association Kaah officially endorsed the candidature of Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro of the Waddani party.
Kaah has the second-largest number of members in the House of Representatives, and its leaders include the Speaker and the first deputy speaker.
Kaah has a strong foothold in the eastern regions.
Key points include Kaah’s endorsement of Waddani’s presidential candidate, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, in exchange for government positions if Waddani wins. Both parties also agreed to reopen Somaliland’s constitution to review the seat allocation system and to address the Sool region’s issues through peaceful dialogue.
“This historic agreement benefits the people of Somaliland and sets the stage for Waddani to win control of the country,” said Waddani spokesperson Mohamed Farah in an interview with the BBC. Kaah spokesperson Hasan Abdillahi Mataan described the agreement as a significant opportunity to save Somaliland and restore unity among its people.
The coalition comes just 100 days before the elections, applying political pressure on the ruling party. Dr. Ahmed Farah Idle (Ahmed Saki), a researcher and lecturer at the University of Hargeisa, noted that the timing is strategic as the election approaches.
“Waddani is using every strategy to gain control of Somaliland, which is why they have formed a coalition with Kaah,” Dr. Ahmed-Saki Farah told the BBC. The plan leading to today’s agreement has been in development for nearly a year.
The coalition introduces new dynamics to Somaliland’s political scene. It could challenge the ruling Kulmiye party, which has led Somaliland for the past fourteen years. Both Waddani and Kaah are vying to maintain their political status.
However, Dr. Ahmed Saki warned that Kaah’s leadership has taken a political risk. “If Waddani’s supporters vote exclusively for Waddani, Kaah might lose support from both the government and other opposition groups,” he said.
The Waddani-Kaah alliance is only the second coalition agreement in Somaliland’s political history. In 2010, the ruling Kulmiye party, then in opposition, formed a coalition with the association Qaran, which later joined Kulmiye for the election.
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland, where citizens elect their leaders through direct voting, is set for one of its most competitive elections in recent history. The outcome of this coalition could significantly shape the future political landscape of Somaliland.
The chairperson of Kaah is Mohamoud Hashi Abdi who was the minister of presidency under President Silaanyo administration and played a leading role for the election of President Bihi in 2017.
He also hails from a constituency whose alliance brought Bihi to power in 2017. The shift means Abdirahman Irro’s base has expanded at the expense of President Bihi.
Bihi and Hashi had a falling out, which resulted in the formation of the Kaah political association, which was led by former allies of President Bihi.
Other notable former allies of President Bihi who switched to support Abdirahman Irro include former foreign minister Mohamed Abdi Omar.
Abdirahman Irro seems to have built a broad coalition of the willing that goes beyond his political party and includes other political groups.
The deputy chairman of the Wadani party, Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, said the coalition agreement of the Wadani party and the Kaah organization is necessary because the country has moved in the direction of change, and KAAH organization has taken a brave decision to support Abdirahman Irro to the upcoming election
MP Asowe said: “Today, it seems to me that the nation of Somaliland has turned towards the reformers of Waddani and Kaah. Today is similar to what happened when I was a member of the old Udub party.”
On the other hand, the Secretary General of the Wadani party, Khadar Hussein, said : “This agreement is a political earthquake, and it is giving Kulmiye despair, and it shows the unity of Somaliland.”
Abdiqadir Jirdeh, the leader of the Wadani party, said the WADANI is the biggest party, KAAH is the biggest organization and the agreement is the will of God, and success will be achieved.”
On the other hand, the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives, Ali Hamud Jibril said, “The national safety agreement between WADDANI and KAAH was signed here today.”
The chairman of the Waddani party, Hirsi X Ali, said:, “We have agreed on our mutual interests, and we understand what each of us controls.”
He added, “Mohamud and I have collaborated in the past. Today, we are supporting and trusting each other, and we both supporting Cabdiraxmaan Cirro together.”
On the other hand, candidate Abdirahman Irro said, “I promise you that there will be no more delayed elections.”
I promise you that I will work for you, I will listen to you and not listen to you alone, I will unite you and not divide you.”
The chairman of Kaah Mohamed Hashi said, “The current government has adopted a poor policy, poor leadership, poor administration, poor attitude, and poor reputation. This nation cannot afford this poverty.”
He added ” Abdirahman Irro is a leader who does not expect revenge, today we are not choosing between families, we are choosing between leaders”
The presidential election is scheduled to take place in 13 November 2024. The sitting president, Muse Bihi Abdi, who is seeking re-election, is facing Abdirahman Irro of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID party.
In the 2021 parliamentary and local councils elections, Waddani got the most votes.
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“I told the people of Awdal that I want to save
