Somaliland police detain MP for calling region a one-clan enclave 

MOGADISHU (Adduun) – Somaliland police on Monday detained prominent MP Mohamed Abib at Egal Airport in Hargeisa as he returned from the United Arab Emirates. The arrest followed efforts by the prosecution to lift his parliamentary immunity, which had been a subject of ongoing legal and political maneuvering. 

Abib, a representative from Awdal region, has recently stirred controversy with his comments regarding the Somali National Movement (SNM). He accused the SNM of committing a massacre in Borama town, claiming that 700-800 people were killed within hours after the SNM took control of the area in 1991. This claim implicates several high-profile SNM leaders, including the current president Muse Bihi Abdi and his Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed. 

The MP’s remarks have sparked significant tension, particularly given that the SNM, which played a major role in the establishment of Somaliland, is seen as a divisive force by some. Abib’s comments about the SNM’s actions and its legacy are fueling controversy in Somaliland, especially among those who view his statements as inflammatory. 

In addition to his comments on the SNM, Abib has criticized the current administration of Somaliland, alleging that it is dominated by a single clan and accusing it of engaging in corrupt practices. His statements have resonated with some constituents who feel marginalized by the current political structure. 

The situation has been exacerbated by recent unrest in Awdal region, which erupted following the signing of a contentious sea access deal between the regional president and Ethiopia. The deal, which involves leasing land for a naval base to Addis Ababa, has been met with significant opposition from locals who view it as detrimental to their interests. 

The arrest of Abib comes at a time of heightened political tension and public dissatisfaction in Somaliland. The unfolding situation underscores the deep-seated divisions and contentious issues facing the break-away region, from historical grievances to contemporary political disputes. 

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