Somalia: Kulmiye party is behind the blast, says Somaliland Interior Minister

[Koora-Tuunshe]

Somalia: Kulmiye party is behind the blast, says Somaliland Interior Minister

 

The Somaliland Minister of Interior, Abdullahi Ismail Irro, has blamed the main opposition party in Somaliland, Kulmiye, for the explosion at one of the offices used by the members of the Somaliland Council of Elders ( Guurti) today.

 

“The devise used for the explosion was a time bomb. The main suspects are men from the opposition party who ignored the security staff and gate-crashed the office. We think Kulmiye party is behind the blast” the minister told a BBC Somali Service interviewer

 

A man was arrested for saying a blast would take place before midday, the minister said. The actual blast took place at noon. “Continuous intimidation from the opposition party preceded the blast. A house belonging to the National Electoral Commission member was targeted few nights ago,” said the minister who denied reports that the government is keen to have its mandate extended. It is not known how the minister’s remarks will affect investigations to be carried by the Somaliland police. No one was injured at the scene of the blast. Kulmiye party leader, Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, has dismissed minister’s remarks as baseless. “It is sad that the Minister of Interior did not think about what he had said to link a national party and its leaders to a blast. We challenge him to provide evidence for the allegations. ”

 

 

© 2008 Somali Press Review

[Koora-Tuunshe]

Explosion rocks Somaliland parliament building

9 Apr 9, 2008 - 4:39:42 PM

 

HARGEISA, Somalia Apr 9 (Garowe Online) - A bomb exploded through a part of the parliament building in Somalia's separatist republic of Somaliland on a day of intense political negotiations to settle an enduring dispute about the upcoming elections.

 

No one was wounded when the explosion happened at noon on Wednesday in Hargeisa, the breakaway region's capital city. But there was extensive damage to an office inside the parliament building, which is home to the House of Guurti (elders).

 

Gen. Mohamed Dubad, Somaliland 's chief of police, told local media that six suspects have been apprehended in connection with today's explosion.

 

Of the six suspects, four are reported to be employees who work at the parliament building, according to local sources.

 

Somaliland Interior Minister Abdullahi "Irro" Ismail later told the BBC Somali Service that members loyal to the opposition Kulmiye party were behind the attack.

 

He said two Kulmiye party members are in police custody for questioning.

 

But Kulmiye party chairman Ahmed Silanyo dismissed the Interior Minister's allegations as "baseless."

 

Prior to the explosion, the House of Guurti ended a heated discussion on a bill introduced by the government of President Dahir Riyale, sources said.

 

According to the sources in Hargeisa, Riyale's bill is a request for a term extension for the incumbent president whose official term expires next month.

 

The Somaliland leader wants the presidential elections postponed until October 2008, to complete an ongoing voter registration process.

 

But Mr. Silanyo, the opposition leader, has been critical of the term extension proposal.

 

On Wednesday, the House of Guurti failed to hold an official session because there were not enough lawmakers to complete the quorum.

 

The explosion at the parliament building becomes the third bomb blast in Hargeisa over the past two weeks, including a grenade attack on the home of a Somaliland Cabinet minister last week.

 

Somaliland , which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, maintains its own government, armed forces, flag and currency.

 

But no country in the world has ever recognized the separatist region as an independent republic.

 

Source: Garowe Online

[AfricaOwn]

HARGEISA, Somalia? WTF :confused:

[Thankful]

Even this article states the samething.

 

Link

[Laba-X]

Looks like Amin Arts has summed it all...

[Emperor]

So now the opposition party KULMIYE is engaging in terror activities... I only heard of the politcal wing, when was the military wing of Kulmiye party was created?

[Ibtisam]

^^^WHy are you jumping the gun?? From Kulmiye has been accused to ..."when was the military wing created" mighty leep!

[Geel_jire]

whether you are pro -SL or Anti-SL this not good for anyone !

 

do they have any concrete proof that it was kulmiye ?

.. this is worrying first Rayaale extends his presidency by 1 year now the opposition is accused of bombing the parliament .... this cannot turn out well

 

this looks like a move to get more power by the incumbent and should not be allowed to happen or else history just keeps on repeating itself !

[Emperor]

^I heard the rumour that most of the former SNM murderers support Kulmiye, no wonder this action took place so quickly, intiligently carried and aimed at the House wanting to cause greater damage... the SL interior Minister immediately says Kulmiye are engaging in terror activities

 

Ibtisam terror groups are not allowed to have a save haven in the horn of africa, they must face taugh action and need to dealt with robustly, Kulmiye Party is no exception...

[Ibtisam]

^I heard the rumour that most of the former SNM murderers support Kulmiye, no wonder this action took place so quickly, intiligently carried and aimed at the House wanting to cause greater damage... the SL interior Minister immediately says Kulmiye are engaging in terror activities

 

Ibtisam terror groups are not allowed to have a save haven in the horn of africa, they must face taugh action and need to dealt with robustly, Kulmiye Party is no exception...

Says the spokes person for the biggest terrorist [government to you] of all, TFG. :rolleyes: What a rich statement.

 

former SNM murderers (how can someone be a former anyway) i.e. the faaqaash support Kulmiye?, aint that confusing

 

P.s. Shame on those who deem this as good news. :cool:

[Emperor]

^This is bad news, we can't have terror groups in Somalia like KULMIYE, it makes me even support UCID if the tactics of Kulmiye has become of this... I don't follow SL politics that much to support one party from the other but any group that trying to destibilize the country introduce terror activities and suicide bombing should be immediately dealth with... If as the SL interior minister statement's suggest that KULMIYE is engaging in terror activities... they have to be listed in the list of terror networks carrying operation in the Horn and their leaders immediately imprisoned before they escape to the Bushes of NAASO HABLOOD and master mind massive attacks against the civilians much like they did during the SNM time...

[Emperor]

I meant UDUB and not UCID, the current rulling party... Funny names UCID, UDUB, QARAN and what have you, Kulmiye they are the only odd one out, they should have called themselves UDUG...

[General Duke]

So now the opposition party KULMIYE is engaging in terror activities... I only heard of the politcal wing, when was the military wing of Kulmiye party was created?

My comrade, dont you know Silanyo was the head of the SNM. Thus if they need it they got experience in terror.

[N.O.R.F]

I see Mr and Mrs Maalayacni are back,,,,,

[General Duke]

^^^Now what do you want from Emperor and Ibtisam? and when did they get married and change their names?