Somaliland security authorities have confirmed that the armed individuals who have been terrorizing supporters of other parties during political campaigns are members of the National Intelligence Agency with close links to the family of President Muse Bihi and his ruling Kulmiye party.
We were first to break the news on Monday after several armed men clad in Kulmiye colours openly brandished guns and shot in the air during Kulmiye rallies.
And on Tuesday, the National Intelligence Agency said it had arrested five individuals over the crime.
A statement issued by the NIA (National Intelligence Agency) indicated that four members of this group were detained by the intelligence agency, while the remaining members were apprehended by the police. The intelligence agency stated that they would be brought to trial.
“NIA has detained the four armed individuals who were causing disturbances during the Kulmiye rally in the evening. They will be brought before military courts. Additionally, the Somaliland National Police have detained other members of the group,” said the statement from the NIA.
The intelligence agency announced earlier today that they are investigating these individuals who fired shots during the Kulmiye party’s campaign and were dressed in the ruling party’s colors.
Furthermore, the electoral commission instructed the police to arrest these individuals. The commission also fined the Director of the Somaliland Presidency, Mohamed Ali Bile, 20 million shillings for allowing the Kulmiye party supporters to hold a rally at the main Square in Hargeisa. These armed operatives are believed to be relatives of the outgoing president Muse Bihi Abdi.
Additionally, the commission has prohibited the Waddani and Kulmiye parties from holding night rallies following the incident involving armed individuals.
