Somaliland Opposition parties say government arrested 44 people in recent protests

According to a preliminary report issued by a joint committee of the opposition parties, the Somaliland government arrested at least 44 people during opposition protests in Somaliland. The committee which was appointed a week ago noted women and children were among the detainees.

Opposition parties accentuated that killing, imprisonment and intimidation will never stop people from peaceful demonstrations to make their demand heard. In a press conference on Sunday, the two sides; UCID and Waddani, alleged Bihi’s administration of breaching the constitution and decided to ignore individual rights.

Officials said the government seems not ready to hold elections because it is reluctant to be removed by the opposition parties, an accusation the administration has yet to comment on. However, President Bihi stated on several occasions that his party is ready to take part in the upcoming elections.

Somaliland has been mired in political impasse in the past few months over the election schedule. Opposition parties said no other ballot can precede the presidential election while President Bihi insists on the political association election to come first before the presidential election.