Waddani Leader Criticises Somaliland President For ‘Economic Woes’

Hargeisa (PP News Desk)  — Policies of the President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi have come under fire from the leader of the main ‘Waddani’ Somaliland opposition party, Mr Hersi Haji Ali.

The president of Somaliland belongs to the Kulmiye Peace, Unity and Development Party – a party with a social liberalist ideology.

In a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa, Hersi faulted President Bihi for “deteriorating economic conditions in Somaliland” saying “President Bihi’s’ policies have resulted in fewer flights coming into Somaliland and thus bringing in lower levels of revenue.

The Somaliland government had signed an agreement with a company with an unenviable reputation” said  Hersi although he did not offer any further details.

Hersi went on to criticise the incumbent government for discontinuing  FlyDubai and  Air Arabia flights to Somaliland.

“The aviation industry links us with the world. Policies of the government affect the economy. Three thousand small businesses have folded, according to research” Hersi said.

Somaliland’s political parties are preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled to take place some time next year.

The Waddani opposition party also blamed the ruling party for blocking the representation quota for Somaliland women in a recent move that drew criticism around the region and wider world.

This article first appeared in the © Puntland Post, 2020 and is republished with permission. Edits have been made by TTT.