Hargeisa- Two members of the executive committee of Waddani opposition party have been attacked in this week in Hargeisa. Barkhad Jama Hersi, the Justice Secretary of Waddani opposition party, and Waddani's young wing leader Mohamed Sidiq Dhame, sustained injuries after they were separately attacked by unidentified men.

"Two men insulted me and told me to refrain from the opposition activities. They then started hitting me,” said Barkhad Jama Hersi. He added that the he could not identify the assailants but linked their actions to political motives.

Barkhad's cheek and forehead were bandaged and his face swollen. But the injuries were not serious, according to eyewitnesses.

In another incident, Mohamed Sadiq Dhame, the youth wing leader of Waddani, said he was first threatened through mobile phone by a male caller who warned him to stop opposing the ruling party.

Mohamed suffered arm injury and the windows of his car were smashed. According to him, four assailants who were in a car barked near his house rushed to him and used sticks.

The chairman of Waddani, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, blamed the ruling party.

Both politicians filed complaints with the police.

The spokesperson of the police Mr. Faisal Heis Elmi told at a press conference that they have received and recorded complaints from Barkhad and Mohamed. The police has not arrested anyone for the attack and are not looking for any identified persons, according to the spokesperson who said the complainants have not provided the police names of the attackers. "The police is investigating the incidents,” he added.

Asked if the ruling party was behind the attack, he said they are not pointing fingers to anyone.

About the author

Ismail Ali is the political reporter of Somaliland Daily