Five individuals, according to the president of Somaliland, were slain during opposition protests over worries about a postponed election. This occurs after police acknowledged shooting demonstrators and charged them with disobeying orders.
President Muse Bihi Abdi stated late on Thursday that the five were killed in Somaliland, the northern territory that broke away from Somalia thirty years ago and seeks recognition as an independent country. These towns include Burao and Erigavo.
Nearly 100 more people, mostly security force members, he claimed were hurt.
The president declared that unapproved protests would not be tolerated and accused opposition organizations of causing the unrest. The opposition parties were against the Somaliland government’s decision to permit the protests to take place in six regions but only in certain places.
The United States, the European Union, and other parties released a joint statement on Thursday in response to the events, expressing alarm over the “excessive use of force” and asking all parties to engage in talks for a roadmap on elections.
Protests will continue, according to opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Irro, until the presidential election on November 13.
After talks between the government and opposition fell down, hundreds of people protested on Thursday. The opposition claimed that the government was attempting to postpone the election.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the head of the biggest opposition party Waddani, urged the gathering, “Peace can only reign in Somaliland with free and fair elections. Let those who stand for democracy triumph.”
Three individuals, including a woman, were killed in Hargeisa, according to protest leader Ahmed Ismail, who also reported that 34 other people were hospitalized.
“Several people, including one of our party leader’s security guards, were killed, we are still investigating the total number of deaths which may be higher,” a Waddani member told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
One person also died in Erigavo in clashes between protesters and police, said witness Abdullahi Mohamud.
“We will not stop these protests… until the president (Muse Bihi Abdi) announces that he is ready for the elections,” said Heybe Adan, one of the protesters.
At a press conference Thursday night, the Waddani leader accused the government of committing “atrocities” against the protesters.
“It was a peaceful demonstration with people who only had placards and whistles, but the government committed (rights) violations by using excessive power, live ammunition and tear gas,” he accused.
Waddani and the opposition Justice and Welfare Party (UCID) were also incensed by the government’s intention to register new political parties prior to the elections because they believed it may harm them.
Opposition leaders charged police with using tear gas and live bullets to disrupt a similar-themed anti-government protest in Hargeisa in June.
