Monday August 14, 2023
Hargeisa (HOL) - Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has vowed to take action against the anti-government rebel forces responsible for the last week's ambush attack near Ga'an Libah Mountains, which killed nine police officers and injured 17 others.
President Bihi, who attended the funeral for the slain soldiers in Hargeisa on Sunday, stated that all those involved in the conspiracy and murder, including organizers, and accomplices, will be held accountable under the law.
He urged the people to unite to defend Somaliland and stressed that achieving goals should be through consultation, dialogue, and integration. President Bihi advocated for all parties to approach the upcoming election through consensus.
President Bihi noted that the conflict in Las Anod began after opening of the political organization contest, and another group took up arms when the election timeline was announced. He highlighted the necessity of investigating the connection between these events.
A few days ago, the presidential candidate for the Wadani Party, Abdirahman Irro, urged the government and the rebel group to resolve their disagreements through peaceful dialogue. He called on the rebels to lay down their weapons and urged the government to withdraw its military presence from the concentrated rebel area.
However, last month, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi downplayed the threat posed by the rebel forces, asserting that the people of Somaliland were not inclined to engage in conflict. In contrast, the spokesperson for the anti-government rebel militia based in the Ga'an Libah Mountains argued that recent militia activities were in response to President Bihi's use of force against the opposition.