Monday June 12, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Abdirisakh Khalif Ahmed, the Speaker of Parliament for the self-declared state of Somaliland, resigned on Sunday amidst a
prosecution led by the attorney general's office. He's being accused of undermining the legitimacy of the self-proclaimed republic.
"I've resigned from my roles as the Speaker of the Somaliland Parliament, a member of the House, and a member of the Wadani party," Khalif announced to the press in the contested town of Las Anod.
Ahmed welcomed the recent statement from the Security Council, which called for an immediate withdrawal of the Somaliland security forces and implored all parties to maintain restraint. He added that the leaders of Somaliland would be held accountable for the crisis in Las Anod.
The Speaker expressed his appreciation to the federal government, the Puntland administration, elders, communities, journalists, social media users, and members of the Somaliland Parliament for their support of the people of Las Anod.
Last week, the Attorney General of Somaliland, Abdirahman Jama Hayan, initiated legal proceedings against the Speaker of Somaliland's House of Representatives, Abdirisaq Khalif Ahmed, accusing him of undermining the existence of the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
Before Speaker Ahmed's resignation, his move to Las Anod and the subsequent
criticisms he levelled against Somaliland had already raised concerns. Faysal Ali Warabe, the chairman of the opposition party UCID in Somaliland, argued that Ahmed had effectively left Somaliland when he expressed support for the 33-member SSC elders' committee and accused Somaliland of atrocities in Las Anod.
Warabe added that there should be no dispute about this matter. However, he did express disapproval of the legal proceedings initiated against Khalif by the Somaliland Attorney General. In his remarks, Warabe implied that the government and the high court had become indistinguishable, hinting at potential misuse of power.
This case has triggered substantial debate within Somaliland's legal and political circles. There is a viewpoint that the situation should be handled solely by legislative councils rather than the judiciary or executive branches. Khalif's impending lawsuit has also initiated discussions within the House of Representatives about their potential response. Unconfirmed reports suggested that Khalif might have been considering resignation even before his announcement.
This controversy surfaced after Khalif relocated to Las Anod due to the eruption of conflict in the region. Following this move, he joined several intellectuals in accusing Somaliland of human rights violations. His vocal criticisms of the Somaliland military's actions in the area have led to an
increasingly tense relationship with the Somaliland government. The tension culminated in his resignation as Speaker of the Parliament and from his membership roles in the House and the Wadani party.
Hayan stressed the importance of constitutional matters in legal proceedings, which could potentially lead to penalties. However, he clarified that the current proceedings are not punitive but are based on Article 79 of the Somaliland Constitution.
Abdirisakh Khalif has become one of the highest ranking officials from Somaliland
to defect to the administration of SCC-Khatumo. All the
politicians and
officers who have defected from Somaliland originally hail from the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions, collectively known as SCC.
A few weeks ago, the Somaliland President sent Khalif to the disputed town of Las Anod to help resolve the longstanding conflict there. However, Khalif openly sided with the traditional elders representing the people of the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions, known collectively as SCC-Khatumo.
Furthermore, Speaker Abdirisakh Khalif Ahmed accused the Somaliland military of bombing and destroying the town, alleging that President Bihi ignored his recommendations for conflict resolution.