British Ambassador meets Somaliland president, opposition parties

Hargeisa, May 13 (Somaliland.com):- British Ambassador to Somaliland and Somalia has met today Somaliland President and opposition parties in Hargeisa the capital of Somaliland.

The President Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi has received the British Ambassador Amb. Ben Fender, in the presidential palace.

As presidential statement mentioned, both parties discussed bilateral relations between the Republic of Somaliland and Great Britain. The statement added that the president and the ambassador talked about the security of the Horn of Africa, fight against terrorism, UK’s developmental aid to Somaliland and the upcoming delayed elections of the parliament and local councils.

On Monday afternoon, Amb Ben Fender held meetings separately with both
opposition parties, UCID and Waddani.

Waddani chairman Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro confirmed the meeting and the issues that are discussed. “delayed elections and violation of basic principles of constitutional rights such as the unlawful arrest of MP with immunity, and also the illegal detention of our Youth Chairman, government’s failed attempt of state of emergency and other human rights violations issues. Mr. Abdirahman Irro said in a tweet. He added that all of these are derailing hardly-won political progress and deteriorating stability of Somaliland.

Ambassador Ben Fender was accompanied in meetings by the UK’s Representative to Somaliland Mr. Stuart Brown.

On the Waddani side, Mr. Abdirahman Irro (Chairman) was accompanied by Abdiqadir Jirde (Transitional/Future chairman), and Mr. Hersi Ali Hassan (Party leader), while UCID party was represented by the chairman Faisal Ali Warabe and his VP running mate Prof Ahmed Abdi Muse Abyan.

The ambassador is also expected to confer with parliament and non-governmental organizations who are implementing projects funded by the British government.