Somaliland President Pardons Former Somalia Deputy Prime Minister

The Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has Pardoned Ex-Somalia’s Deputy Prime minister Mohamed Omar Arte after renouncing his views against Somaliland Statehood.

He is the son of Somalia’s former Prime Minister in 1991-1993 and FM, Omar Arte Qaalib.

This move is viewed as a major blow to the Federal Government of Somalia as it leaves a dent in their claim that Somaliland is part of Somalia’s territory.

In a statement issued by the president, His Excellency Muse Bihi affirmed that he pardoned him after due consultations with traditional elders and the country’s Attorney General.

The statement added that the president took the decision considering Arte’s move to renounce his views; though he did not renounce his views publicly which makes many view the move as suspicious.

Mohamed Omar Arte is the son of Somalia’s former Prime minister and Foreign Minister in 1991-1993 Omar Arte Qalib. He hails from Somaliland, but had been a unionist projecting the continual unification of Somaliland and Somalia.

Somaliland authorities do not usually allow members of Somalia Federal Government to live or travel inside its territory and this presidential pardon follows Mohamed Omar’s request to visit his father ailing Omar Arte Qaalib in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Similar to Arte’s case, Somaliland administration earlier granted pardons to Ahmed Ismael Samatar who had earlier vied for the position of president in Somalia. Added to this list are former FM Ismael Hurre Buba and other renowned politicians.