Somaliland MP calls for Protests over rising cost of living

Hassan Dhuhul Laabsaalah, a Somaliland MP elected from Maroodijeeh region has called on the public to attend a protest against the rising cost of living in the country.

The protest is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Hargeisa. His statement came after a video circulated on social media showing a mother crying over the rising cost of living.

The Vice minister of commerce Muse Ibrahim Salah has opposed the MP’s call for protests and said he should have contacted them before he became emotional. The minister appeared surprised that a ruling party lawmaker called for anti-government protests and advised him to avoid personal emotions when making political decisions.

With expression of sorrow on her face, the mother who is identified as Siraad Ali Aafi says she roamed around all day in the market hungry, looking for food. She was heard asking why nobody was demanding businessmen to lower the cost of living.

Her statement triggered thousands of messages calling for the resignation of the commerce minister Sa’ad Sajin, despite the ministry referring to the complaints as politically motivated.

Members of the public have already started fundraising money to help her and within a few hours she has received thousands of U.S dollars.