HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – At least 5 people, including police officers wounded in a protest staged by opposition supporters in the town of Burao in Somaliland shortly after the leaders of Waddani and Ucid parties announced on Sunday they had ceased recognizing Muse Bihi as president.
Three police officers and two protesters wounded in the demonstration, which erupted following the announcement by opposition leaders that they no longer recognize Muse Bihi as the head of state, Saab TV reported.
Earlier, Somaliland Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed and police chief Mohamed Adan Dabagale threatened action against anyone who participates in possible opposition protests against the president’s stay in power after his term ended.
The leader of Waddani Party Abdirahman Irro said on Sunday that Bihi’s new title will be “former president and leader of Kulmiye Party”, adding that his stay in power will be recognized as illegal power grab and dictatorship.
The expiration of Bihi’s presidential term on Nov. 13 without the conduct of vote has exacerbated long-standing tensions in the break-away region.
Attempts by local politicians and elders to dial down tensions and mediate a political agreement between the two sides came to no avail on Sunday. The region’s highly-respected House of Elders has been recently accused by opposition of taking sides in the dispute after extending the president’s term by two years.
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