Bihi and Kahin have shared a political partnership and personal friendship spanning four decades. Before the 2024 presidential election, an election Bihi ultimately lost, the former president handed over the party’s leadership to Kahin.

Bihi’s remarks are seen by some as an unusual intervention by a former president and ex-party leader into the internal affairs of the party. He accused "young, ambitious politicians” of surrounding Kahin in an effort to climb the party ranks, adding, "That will not work.”

The former president also welcomed a recent ruling by the Political Parties Registration Commission, which annulled Kahin’s decision to postpone the Party Congress. The Commission declared the postponement illegal and ordered the party to set a new congress date within 30 days, a setback for Kahin’s attempts to consolidate authority.

Kahin previously served as interior minister during Bihi’s administration.

The two long-time allies, who had consistently been on the same side of Somaliland politics, fell out following the Kulmiye Party’s defeat in the November 2024 elections. Bihi is reportedly seeking to replace Kahin as party leader.

In a press conference today, Mohamed Kahin responded sharply to Bihi’s comments, accusing him of "meddling in matters that are not his concern.”

"I am the leader of the party,” Kahin said. "You have no role in it. You led it for nearly 12 years. Your time is over.”

Kahin also criticised the Commission’s ruling and indicated that he intends to appeal the decision.