In a show of unity, president of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Cirro) and his vice president d Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi invited former president Muse Bihi for talks on how the country can move forward as united nation.
Also president was the 3rd president of Somaliland Mr. Daahir Riyaale Kaahin, the 3rd vice president Mr. Ahmed Yusuf Yasin and the second vice president Mr. Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah. The immediate former vice president Mr. Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail (Saylici) was absent because he was he is mourning the death of his mother who died in Boorama.
Others in the meeting was the former chairman of the parliament of Somaliland Mr. Baashe Maxamed Farah.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro convened a high-level consultation meeting with former presidents, vice presidents, and a parliamentary speaker on Friday to address pressing political and security issues.
The meeting was attended by the fifth President, Muse Bihi Abdi; the third President, Dahir Riyaale Kahin; the third Vice President, Ahmed Yusuf Yasin; the second Vice President, Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah; and former House Speaker Bashe Mohamed Farah. Former Vice Presidents Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail (Saylici) and Hassan Isse were absent from the meeting.
However, sources close to the discussions indicated that the focus included the deadly conflict in the Dacawaley area of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, which erupted on December 25 and the ongoing conflicts in Somaliland’s eastern regions.
The Dacawaley conflict escalated on December 25, when Ethiopian federal troops and the Somali Region’s Liyu Police clashed with local residents, leaving over 50 people, mostly civilians, dead. Homes were burned, and elders from Hargeisa mediating peace efforts were reportedly abducted. Somaliland’s government has condemned the violence as “genocide” and demanded accountability.
The meeting also delved on how to have a united front in rebuilding the country.
Irro who took over from Bihi after the elections in November is seeking to unite the country as it continues to fight for recognition and security within the horn. It is the first time Irro is meeting Bihi since the hand over on December 14.
