Hargeisa - Two major political parties, Kulmiye and Kaah, have sharply condemned what they describe as the mistreatment of former President Muse Bihi Abdi by security forces at Hargeisa's Egal International Airport.

A widely circulated video shows airport security personnel firing shots at a vehicle within the former president’s motorcade. Another clip captures Mr Bihi entering the airport on foot, suggesting that security officers barred his convoy from passing through the gate.

The government has not yet issued any statement regarding the incident.

In a strongly worded press release, the Kulmiye Party expressed "deep dismay” over the actions of the airport police, calling them "an unacceptable use of live ammunition against the former President of Somaliland.” The party urged the government—particularly the Ministry of Aviation and security agencies—to issue an official explanation, warning that the incident "presents a wrong image of Somaliland’s governance system.”

The Kaah Party issued a separate statement echoing the condemnation, describing the shooting and obstruction as "an act that openly displayed disrespect and a breach of protocol.” Kaah emphasised that the former president "deserves continuous honour and respect” and called on the government to apologise to Mr Bihi.

Kaah further demanded an independent investigation and urged the authorities to hold accountable anyone involved in the altercation.

Several opposition politicians and Members of Parliament have also condemned the actions of the security forces.

Guleid Ahmed Jama, a civil society leader in Hargeisa, called on authorities to provide a clear explanation. Writing on Facebook, he said: "Muse Bihi is a former president who has privileges granted by law and protection based on the service he rendered to the country. The government is required to clarify exactly what happened today.”