In what may be described as a telling body blow to Somaliland President Muse Bihi’s chances of retaining his seat in the upcoming elections, his Vice President for seven years Abdirahman Abdillah Ismail has declared his support for the opposition Waddani candidate Dr Abdirahman Irro.
With hist two days remaining to the elections set for November 13, Abdillah Ismail popularly known as Saylici said at a press conference on Sunday night at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa that he had soul searched for a very long time before making his decision.
“I have come to this decision after serious soul searching and realization that President Muse Bihi has no interest at heart for the country,” said Saylici who has been vice president for 14 years serving under two presidents.
He said: “When we took oath of office in 2017, we promised to protect the nation and its people. however, this has not been the case and today, our people are very vulnerable.”
Saylici was flanked by Waddani presidential candidate Abdirahman Irro who praised him for making the decision to support his candidature which is on the premise of change.
“I am proud of him (Saylici) because he has decided to support the wind of change that is blowing across Somaliland. His decision is a clear manifestation that he stands for change,” said Irro.
It remains to be seen if Saylici decision will influence the residents of Awdal region to shift their support to Waddani. Awdal has been predominantly a Kulmiye base.
Saylici has in the recent weeks declared his support for an opposition-leaning political association from his own constituency.
The Vice President publicly called on all Somaliland citizens to back a different political entity than his own ruling party-Kulmiye which is fighting for survival at the helm.
The VP specifically urged those from the western administrative region of Awdal and the general public to support the Barwaaqo Political Association, led by a politician from Awdal, in its quest to become one of the upcoming three national political parties.
Furthermore, the Vice President highlighted that the country has strayed from the path of democracy and inclusion.
He implicitly criticized the successive governments, including his own Kulmiye-led two-term administrations, during which he served as the Number Two man.
“Over the past thirty-three years since Somaliland reclaimed independence from Somalia, we have made strides in security and the economy. We have overcome challenges through unity and collaboration,” he acknowledged. “Unfortunately, it appears that we have veered off course in recent years.”
It is imperative, he noted, that we all take responsibility to ensure inclusivity in the political arena, especially in light of the recent declaration of unilateral independence by parts of the Sool region from Somaliland during President Bihi’s tenure, following a deadly confrontation with locals.
