Somaliland: the Parliament approves a controversial military base and the opposition rejects, accusing the government of suppression
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Sunday February 12, 2017 - 15:15:01 in Wararkii u danbeeyay by Jama Ahmed
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Hargeisa- In a joint session, Somaliland Parliament approved a controversial undisclosed agreement granting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a military base at Berbera. The two opposition parties rejected the deal and accused the government of using force and oppression.
Members of both houses of the Parliament (House of Representatives and Guurti) approved the agreement which was not tabled before the Parliament.
The government submitted to the Parliament "a summary of the Agreement”.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, the speaker of the Lower House left the session angrily and opposition members of the Parliament were forced out of the sitting.
Video clips shows some of members of the Parliament who are forced by the police from the House. Some of them sustained light injuries.
The speaker said the House has been hijacked by the presidency and rejected the approval of the military base.
The main opposition party of Somaliland, Waddani, strongly opposed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a military base at Berbera, a port city located at the red sea. The opposition party claimed that the deal is against the interest of Somaliland and will harm the peace of Somaliland and the region.
"We have not seen the alleged agreement. What are we then approving? The government is using force against the Parliament,” Mohamed Saleh Egeh, opposition member of Parliament said.
Abdinasir Qodah, the deputy Secretary General of Justice and Welfare Party, said "what happened at the Parliament was oppression and coercion”.
"We condemn the beating and detention of Parliamentarians who expressed their opinion,” he added.
"The Police should be independent and shall not serve for the ruling party. The way they treated the members of the Parliament is very wrong,” he said.
The Minister of Presidency speaking to the media on Friday said the agreement is concluded for the interest of the people of Somaliland.
Last night the government arrested Ahmed Hamarji, Wadani opposition party high ranking official, who is accused of organized a public protest against the deal, according to Waddani officials and reliable source.
During the session of the approval, the main road of the capital was shut down to prevent protest called by the opposition.
Police and military were deployed the roads leading to the parliament building.
About the author
Mohamed J Ismail is a Somaliland Daily reporter
Somaliland: the Parliament approves a controversial military base and the opposition rejects, accusing the government of suppression
Hargeisa- In a joint session, Somaliland Parliament approved a controversial undisclosed agreement granting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a military base at Berbera. The two opposition parties rejected the deal and accused the government of using fo