MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland marked its Independence Day on Saturday with navy parades held throughout the break-away area’s cities as authorities vow to implement a controversial deal signed in January that grants Ethiopia an entry to a leased land alongside the Pink Sea.
Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, opposition leaders, the speaker of the Home of Elders and different authorities officers attended a highly-organized ceremony held close to the presidential complicated.
Troopers and residents waving the nationwide flag marched in Hargeisa’s principal avenue because the ceremony was broadcast dwell on the state TV and different media stations in Somaliland.
The ceremony comes after greater than a yr of battle with the residents of Lasanod who’ve led an rebellion towards the separatist authorities, forcing their troops to vacate most of their bases in Sool area and established a parallel regional state.
Over the previous weeks, authorities have once more begun beating the drums of battle amid feared onslaught towards authorities in Sool area who’ve been acknowledged by Somalia’s authorities as a member of its federal states.
Photos circulated on social media confirmed newly-purchased navy autos and convoys of Somaliland troops heading to the frontline city of Oog in Sool area regardless of calls from conventional leaders for a peaceable finish to the battle.
In the meantime, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has just lately promised {that a} delayed presidential vote is due in November, ending years-long political deadlock. The transfer has been greeted with welcome by opposition leaders, who’ve lengthy accused Bihi of trying to remain past his constitutional time period. Extra
Bihi’s authorities can also be dealing with strain as communities in Awdal area rejected a deal he had signed with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in January that offers Addis Ababa a leased land within the Pink Sea coastal city of Lughaya which can final for greater than 50 years. Bihi stated Ethiopia will acknowledge Somaliland in alternate for the land the place Addis Ababa will construct a navy base. Extra
Residents in Lughaya and different cities in Awdal areas have threatened to take up arms if Ethiopia units up a naval base within the city, however in response to the threats, Somaliland deployed tons of of troops to the world to stop makes an attempt to disrupt the deal which Bihi referred to as “historic”.
Somalia’s authorities described the settlement as an “unlawful infringement upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity”, however Addis Ababa insisted it had notified Somali authorities previous to the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
Contact us: information@somaliguardian.com
