Concerns over security ahead of elections as government backed vigilantes rule the streets

[Deeq A.]

Concerns over security ahead of elections as government backed vigilantes rule the streets

VID-20241028-WA0010
Concerns are being raised about the emergence of an armed vigilante group aligned to the ruling Kulmiye party that is becoming a security threat ahead of the November 13 presidential elections.

Videos and photos of Kulmiye supporters brandishing guns and threatening member of the opposition have been displayed on social media but no action has been taken by government officers.

It is emerging that the armed civilian groupings are associated with members of the first family and have reportedly been acting on behalf of high-ranking government officials and Muse Bihi’s close family. These groups are known to have operation houses around the city, and some members are allegedly connected to the intelligence agency or members of the agency, raising further concerns about state complicity in orchestrating or permitting such activities.

These armed supporters have openly been brandishing weapons near the government’s highest offices, which are close to several high-security government locations, including the Somaliland Presidential House, the Somaliland Intelligence Agency HQ, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) HQ.

Despite this proximity to these sensitive installations, no action has been taken lending credence they may be operating at the behest of powerful forces within government and the ruling party and the lack of action against these armed groups proves the government’s endorsement or acceptance of violent tactics aimed at shaping the electoral environment.

A case in point was recently when one of the armed groupings fired bullets on the streets but while security forces tried to repulse them, the president’s radio advised them to ignore the group.

A police commander who recently alluded that the armed group is linked to President Muse Bihi’s son has since been arrested. The commander, Keyse Suudi, a top police officer at the Iftin Station is currently under arrest in the Officers Club as confirmed by top officials today.

Videos of these armed vigilante groups were posted on social media, showing them openly brandishing weapons, chanting, and issuing threats with their faces clearly visible. This unhidden identity and social media documentation suggest a perception of possible tolerance or tacit approval from the government.

These incidents indicate a rise in pre-election violence, which poses significant risks to public safety, threatens the democratic process and jeopardizes stability in key districts in the capital city of Hargeisa. These actions are deliberate attempts to intimidate opposition supporters and influence the electoral atmosphere.

Notably, this is not the first time that armed civilian groups, reportedly acting on behalf of high-ranking government officials and Muse Bihi’s close family, have been seen. These groups are known to have operation houses around the city, and some members are allegedly connected to the intelligence agency or members of the agency, raising further concerns about state complicity in orchestrating or permitting such activities.

Incident Reports

On the night of October 26, during the scheduled campaign night of the Waddani opposition party, and October 27, during the campaign night of the ruling party of Kulmiye, armed supporters were spotted in Koodbuur, Ahmed Dhagah, and Mohamud Haybe districts.

On October 27, as the ruling party held its campaign event, these armed supporters visibly displayed Kulmiye party flags and guns and chanted slogans supporting the ruling party. These armed supporters openly carried pistols and assault weapons compared to AK-47s.

They fired into the air and toward civilian areas in multiple locations, creating an environment of fear and intimidation. Their visible faces, captured in recordings later posted on social media, further underscore the severity of the situation and indicate a degree of confidence in their immunity from accountability, which proves the government’s involvement.

The timing of these incidents, aligning with key campaign events, implies a calculated strategy to instill fear and possibly suppress opposition turnout. This deliberate creation of a threatening pre-election atmosphere risks influencing the outcome through intimidation and undermining the fairness of the electoral process.

The current security situation in Somaliland points to a concerning pre-election environment, marked by visible, armed civilians supporting the ruling party and posing active security threats. Without immediate corrective measures, these activities risk undermining the democratic integrity of the upcoming elections and jeopardizing Somaliland’s stability.

Source Somaliland Reporter

Qaran News