2022 Somaliland protests

Last updated
2022 Somaliland protests
DateAugust 11–12, 2022 (2022-08-11 – 2022-08-12)
Duration2 days
Location Hargeisa, Burao, and Erigavo, Somaliland
TypePolitical protests
Deaths5
Non-fatal injuries>100

On 11 August 2022, 5 people were killed and more than 100 injured in widespread protests in the cities of Hargeisa, Burao, and Erigavo after negotiations between the Somaliland government and opposition parties broke down, with the latter accusing Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi and his officials of purposely finding ways to delay the upcoming 13 November election.

Contents

Protests

According to the nation's Deputy Police Commander Abdi Hassan Mire, the protesters were armed with "knives, catapults, clubs," and guns, as well as carried placards which said "Hold the election on 13th November 2022" and chanted anti-government slogans. [1] [2]

Internet in the nation reportedly received "significant disruptions across multiple providers," according to internet monitoring organization NetBlocks in wake on the protests, hampering up-to-date reporting of the protests as they unfolded. [3] [4]

Reactions and aftermath

A statement condemning the "excessive use of force" used by authorities to extinguish the anti-government protests was signed by the EU, UK, and the US, which also called for "all sides in Somaliland to engage in constructive dialogue in order to reach consensus on a roadmap for elections". [1]

On 13 August President Abdi addressed the nation on national TV about the protests that were held the day before. He announced that 5 people had been killed in the protests, and claimed that the protests were ultimately organized by the leaders of Wadani and UCID parties after "learning from" the recent Sri Lanka protests in which "protesters forced their leaders out of office". [5]

President Mohamud of Somalia in a short video published by the president's office, called on the nation's political parties to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than through violent protests. [6]

Chairman of the opposition Waddani party Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan announced in 14 August that the protests, which killed five and injured 100 on mainly 11 August, "will continue [again] and we will not stop". He added the reason for the break in protests on 12 and 13 August was "to visit the wounded, find out about the arrested, and attend the funeral of the buried". According to the BBC, attempts to mediate the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties have largely failed. [7]

The Waddani and UCID opposition parties jointly appointed a committee consisting of nine members, four of whom were members of the House of Representatives, to investigate the recent violent protests and any crimes they may have been committed during them. [8]

On 15 August a trial was held at a regional court for several demonstrators, including Horyaal 24 TV reporters Ahmed-Zaki and Abdinasir, who were arrested during the 11 August protests for their participation in the event. [9] [10]

The CPJ demanded on 17 August the unconditional release of Horyaal 24 TV reporter Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamood and his cameraman Abdinasir Abdi Nour from Mandera Prison after they were arrested during the 11 August protests and sent to prison after being put on a reportedly unfair trial on 15 August. [9]

On 18 August The Somaliland Strategic Advisory Group (SL-SAG) announced their concern for the current political situation in the nation, followed by releasing three recommendations aimed toward the nation's political parties, stakeholders, and citizens to work together to "protect peace and stability". [11]

On 24 August another day of protests took place in Erigavo, where demonstrators took to the streets to demand that the presidential elections should take place on time on 13 November. Streets were reportedly blocked as some burned tires and other objects in the roadways before police arrived. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Las Anod</span> City in Khatumo, Somalia

Las Anod is the administrative capital of the Sool region, currently controlled by Khatumo State forces aligned with Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaaq</span> Somali clan family

The Isaaq is a major Somali clan. It is one of the largest Somali clan families in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kulmiye Peace, Unity, and Development Party</span> Political party in Somaliland

The Kulmiye Peace, Unity and Development Party, also known as simply Kulmiye, is a political party in Somaliland. The party was founded by Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud "Silanyo" in May 2002, ahead of the first municipal elections later that year. The party is mainly supported by people from the Habr Je'lo, Habr Awal and Darod clans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Somaliland</span>

The politics of Somaliland take place within a hybrid system of governance, which, under the Somaliland constitution, combines traditional and western institutions. The constitution separates government into an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch, each of which functions independently from the others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Somaliland presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Somaliland on 14 April 2003. The result was a victory for incumbent President Dahir Riyale Kahin, who won by a margin of just 0.01%. The outcome was initially rejected by the main opposition, which led to violence and a subsequent ban on public protests for a ten-day period starting on 22 April. Nevertheless, the International Crisis Group labeled the election a democratic "milestone" for the breakaway state. On 11 May the Somaliland Supreme Court endorsed Kahin's victory. He was sworn in on 16 May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Somaliland presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Somaliland on 13 November 2017, the third direct presidential election since 2003. General elections had been scheduled to be held in Somaliland on 27 March 2017 to elect both the President and House of Representatives, but were initially postponed by six months due to the drought condition in the region. The elections to elect the President and Vice President were eventually held separately on 13 November. Incumbent President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud of the Peace, Unity, and Development Party (Kulmiye) did not run for a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Peoples' Democratic Party</span> Political party in Somaliland

The United Peoples' Democratic Party, shortened UDUB, was one of the three political parties in Somaliland. It was founded by president Egal in July 2001 in the preparation of the elections, which were originally scheduled for December 2001, but then postponed. It dissolved in December 2011 with its members joining other political parties. Two of Somaliland's first 3 presidents were from this party. The party was usually supported by some sub-clans of the Dir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi</span> 6th President of Somaliland since 2024

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, colloquially known as Irro, is a Somaliland politician and diplomat who has been the 6th and current President of Somaliland since 12 December 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muse Bihi Abdi</span> 5th president of Somaliland (2017-2024)

Musa Bihi Abdi is a Somaliland politician and former military officer who served as the 5th President of Somaliland from 2017 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waddani</span> Political party in Somaliland

The Somaliland National Party, sometimes referred to as the Waddani National Party and better known by its shortened Somali form Waddani, is a political party in Somaliland. The party was founded by Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) in 2012, ahead of the second municipal elections later that year. On 16 November 2021 Hersi Ali Haji Hassan was elected as the new chairman of the opposition party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Somaliland parliamentary election</span> 2021 parliamentary election in Somaliland

Parliamentary elections were held in Somaliland on 31 May 2021, alongside local district elections. The election was Somaliland's first parliamentary election since 2005, and politicians pointed to the election as evidence of its political stability. Three parties – the populist Somaliland National Party (Waddani), the centre-left Justice and Welfare Party (UCID), and the ruling party, the liberal Kulmiye Peace, Unity, and Development Party – put forward 246 candidates who competed for 82 seats in the House of Representatives. More than one million people, out of about four million residents total, registered to vote. On 6 June, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced that Waddani had received a plurality of seats with 31; Kulmiye received 30, and UCID received 21. As no party had received an outright majority, Waddani and UCID announced they would form a political alliance.

Events of 2017 in Somaliland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Somaliland municipal elections</span> Elections in Somaliland

Mayoral and local district council elections were held in Somaliland on 31 May 2021 alongside parliamentary elections, after multiple delays. On 12 July 2020, Somaliland's major political parties reached a landmark agreement to ensure timely elections and to advance preparations for the elections. Negotiations between the parties and the National Electoral Commission settled on the earliest possible date by which the latter believed it would have sufficient time to prepare for the polls.

Events in the year 2021 in Somaliland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Somaliland presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Somaliland on 13 November 2024. In the election, incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye party was seeking a second and final term in office against the opposition candidates Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi "Irro" of the Waddani party, and Faysal Ali Warabe of the UCID party. The election was held concurrently with an election to determine the three national political parties for the next decade.

Events in the year 2022 in Somalia.

Events in the year 2022 in Somaliland.

Events in the year 2024 in Somaliland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibrahim Degaweyne</span>

Ibrahim Degaweyne is a Colonel of Somali National Movement (SNM). He is said to have never lost a battle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi</span> Somaliland politician

Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi is a Somaliland politician who is the Vice President of Somaliland. A member of the political party Waddani, he contested the 2024 presidential election with presidential nominee Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and won in a political upset.

References

  1. 1 2 "Somaliland: Clashes between protesters, police turn deadly". aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  2. ↑ Sheikh, Abdi; Yussuf, Daud (12 August 2022). "At least five people killed, 100 hurt in Somaliland protests". reuters.com. Reuters . Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Williams, Chad (15 August 2022). "Sierra Leone and Somaliland restrict internet access during protests". iol.co. Independent Online . Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Somalia: Opposition protests ongoing in Somaliland Aug. 11 amid internet shutdown /update 1". crisis24.garda.com. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  5. ↑ Khalif, Abdulkadir (13 August 2022). "Somaliland says violent protests were 'foreign induced'". theeastafrican.co.ke. The East African . Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Dhaysane, Mohamed (13 August 2022). "Somali President Urges Stability in Somaliland Amid Deadly Election Disputes". voanews.com. Voice of America . Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Mucaaradka Somaliland oo mar kale war ka soo saaray dibadbaxyadii ay ku baaqeen (The Somaliland opposition has once again released news about the protests they called)". bbc.com (in Somali). BBC. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Ifiye, Khadar (14 August 2022). "Somaliland: Xisbiyada Mucaaradka oo Guddi u magacaabay khasaarihii bannaanbaxa (Somaliland: The opposition parties have appointed a committee for the loss of the demonstration)". horseedmedia.net (in Somali). Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Two Somaliland journalists arrested while covering protests". cpj.org. Committee to Protect Journalists. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  10. ↑ Dhaysane, Mohamed (25 August 2022). "Attacks Increase Against Somaliland Media". voanews.com. Voice of America . Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Emery (18 August 2022). "Somaliland Advisory Group Urge Political Stakeholders to Engage in Substantive Dialogue". Somtribune. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Somalia: Protest reported in Ceerigaabo, Somaliland, Aug.24". crisis24.garda.com. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.