Somaliland’s opposition Kaah Party has strongly rejected remarks by Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who said that Somaliland’s religious leaders, traditional elders and political parties do not support the recognition Somaliland received from Israel.
Kaah Party leader Abdikarim Mohamed accused Somalia prime minister of misunderstanding the political debate within Somaliland, arguing that the country’s political leadership and wider society maintain a fundamental position centered on Somaliland’s statehood and right to self-determination.
In a statement responding to the prime minister’s comments, Abdikarim said Somaliland’s religious scholars, traditional elders and political parties share what he described as a “fundamental” position on Somaliland’s national sovereignty and self-determination.
“Hamza, your statement is like saying, ‘Let me cry, close the door for me,’” Abdikarim said.
The Kaah leader was responding to remarks by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during an interview with Dawan TV, in which the Somali premier said:
“We were pleased that the people of Somaliland, the religious scholars, traditional elders and all the political parties are not in agreement with this, and the Somali people do not accept it.”
The remarks were made in reference to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Abdikarim dismissed the Somali prime minister’s characterization of Somaliland’s political landscape, saying he had become confused by internal debates and differing views within Somaliland’s society and political parties.
“I am telling you that the people of Somaliland, their religious scholars, traditional elders and political parties share one ‘fundamental’ position based on the existence of Somaliland as a nation and their right to self-determination,” he said.
He described the question of Somaliland’s statehood and self-determination as a matter of national destiny that, in his view, should not be confused with disagreements over individual political issues.
“Your statement appears to show that you have become confused and lost in the debates and views within Somaliland’s political parties and society,” Abdikarim said, adding that this indicated the Somalia’s prime minister had miscalculated the political situation.
The Kaah leader concluded his statement by repeating the phrase “Let me cry, close the door for me,” using it to characterize what he portrayed as the Somalia government’s response to developments concerning Somaliland.