Somaliland President seeks to capitalise on “ambiguous SSCK-Puntland ties”

[Deeq A.]

Bihi faces slim reelection prospects

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — Reports from Hargeisa suggest that Muse Bihi, the President of Somaliland administration, has deployed additional troops to Oog in anticipation of potential clashes with SSCK forces. An analyst in Hargeisa outlined two key aspects of Bihi’s conflict strategy. “Bihi exploits conflicts to delay elections, as evidenced by his discussions with Speaker Yasin Faratoon, who declared unresolved conflicts as a barrier to elections,” stated the analyst. Bihi faces slim reelection prospects but his campaign is pushing a narrative blaming Waddani, the main opposition party, and its supporters for the defeat of Somaliland forces at Gooja’adde foxholes in August 2023.

Faratoon, a UK-based politician and the Speaker of Somaliland parliament, aims to help Bihi to use the conflict as a pretext to delay Somaliland administration presidential elections slated to take place in November 2024.

Bihi acknowledges Puntland’s commitment to defending SSCK territories but his advisers are scrutinising the ambiguous SSCK-Puntland relationship. SSCK leader Abdulkadir Aw Ali (Firdhiye) fears closer ties with Puntland could thwart SSCK’s aspirations as a federal member state. Firdhiye hesitates to accept Puntland’s budgetary assistance due to SSCK’s status within Puntland under federal electoral laws.

Firdhiye is under the impression that closer ties with Puntland could thwart SSCK’s aspirations to become a federal member state.

Currently, SSCK’s interim administration relies on contributions from the diaspora. Firdhiye has been criticised for damaging SSCK-Puntland relations. Puntland State of Somalia supports the February 6, 2023, Laascaanood declaration. “Firdhiye’s leadership tenure is in jeopardy unless he alters the perception hindering SSCK-Puntland relations,” cautioned a member of SSCK authority in Laascaanood.

© Puntland Post, 2024

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