Information minister does not know the consequences of his words, says Waddani

Hargeisa, Aug 04 (Somaliland.com):- Somaliland opposition party Waddani refuted the accusation leveled against it by the government, which claimed that the Waddani party is affiliated with rebel leader Colonel Aarre.

The secretary-general of Waddani party, Mr Khadar Hussein, said the minister of information who made these allegations did not take into consideration the consequences of such utterances.

Mr. Khadar, speaking in his office on Sunday, repudiated the charge by the current administration that colonel Aarre has ties with the Waddani party. He considered the minister’s remarks as tantamount to dividing the national forces on a clan basis.

The secretary-general also responded to the Minister of Information Mohamed Muse Dirie, who earlier said that Waddani party is pro-union with Somalia. He said that such allegation weakens Somaliland’s position in talks with Somalia:

the minister of information had earlier said Waddani party is pro-union with Somalia. He does not know the meaning and consequences of his words. When he says that about a national party which gained 42% of votes in the previous elections, the word will get out. The world will read it. It will be translated into other languages. This will weaken Somaliland position in arbitrations, but it is apparent from his speech that he is not aware of this.

Khadar Hussein reiterated the proposition of his party to end the crisis in Somaliland’s eastern region with dialogue and compromise.

The secretary-general of Waddani party concluded that the current administration is extremely flawed and that his party will continue to criticize it despite pleas from the minster of the information to do otherwise.

Abdillahi P.