HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – In a fiery address shortly after his release from prison, outspoken Samaroon MP Mohamed Yusuf Abiib urged the people of Awdal not to support President Muse Bihi Abdi in the upcoming elections.
He accused the Somaliland president of deliberately targeting the Awdal community and denying their constitutional rights.
Abiib, who was detained upon his return from Dubai on September 2, spent a month in jail before being freed last Monday.
The Somaliland higher court dismissed charges brought against him by the attorney general, including allegations of criticizing the military over the Laascaanood atrocities and having ties with Somalia and Djibouti.
In a pointed critique of the Somaliland authorities, Abiib shared his experiences from prison, stating, “I met over 360 individuals who were oppressed citizens, guilty of no crime, while known criminals who have embezzled public funds roam free.”
He highlighted recent violence against the community’s traditional elder, Ugaas Abdirashid, who was shot in an attack he condemned.
‘Do not vote for Muse’
Addressing his community, MP Abiib called on them to withhold their votes from President Muse Bihi’s Kulmiye party, which is seeking re-election in the presidential elections scheduled for November 13.
“All Somalis will be shocked if the ballot boxes Muse brought to Awdal receive any votes. We want you to vote against him. Not a single vote from your 180,000 should go to Kulmiye,” he declared.
The strategic Awdal region is at the center of the Somaliland-Ethiopia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as the 20 km land lease for the Ethiopian naval base mentioned in the MoU will be located along the Awdal coast.
Abiib urged local clans to stand in solidarity with oppressed communities across Somaliland, reiterating that Somaliland should represent all clans, not just a select few.
“I will always speak out, even if it costs me my life. Let them kill me or arrest me,” he said, acknowledging concerns about his safety.
Abiib is a member of the Waddani opposition party and remains steadfast in his commitment to advocating for his constituents’ rights.