HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn Post) — Senior leaders of KAAH Political Party on Monday sharply criticized the Somaliland government, demanding President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro publicly disclose any agreements signed during recent foreign engagements, while accusing Presidency Minister Khadar Hussein Abdi of misleading the public on Somaliland’s international recognition efforts.
The criticism came during a press conference in Hargeisa by Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari, Secretary of the Central Committee of the opposition KAAH Party, who rejected recent accusations made by government officials suggesting opposition figures were working against Somaliland’s long-standing campaign for international recognition.
Awal Bari argued that attempts to portray former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and KAAH Chairman Mahmoud Hashi Abdi as opponents of Somaliland’s recognition were politically motivated and misleading.
“If those who support Muse Bihi and those who support Mahmoud Hashi are being labeled as enemies of recognition, then who exactly supports Somaliland’s recognition? Are Somaliland citizens no longer stakeholders in their own future?” Bari said.
Somaliland Opposition KAAH Demands President Cirro Reveal Secret Israel Agreements
The opposition official focused much of his criticism on what he described as the government’s lack of transparency regarding possible diplomatic agreements involving Israel.
Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari said KAAH Party supports Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition and welcomed diplomatic engagement with Israel, but insisted the government has no authority to keep agreements hidden from the public.
“Mr. President, bring out the agreements and secret dealings you entered into with Israel and place them before the public. Governance is a shared responsibility — these agreements cannot remain hidden in your pocket,” he declared.
According to Bari, any international treaties signed by the Somaliland president must be presented before parliament and shared with national political parties.
“Whatever agreements were signed abroad must be brought before parliament so that everything becomes completely transparent.”
Warning Against Authoritarian Leadership
The KAAH official also warned President Irro against adopting what he described as unilateral decision-making, urging him not to abandon the consultative governance traditions established by previous Somaliland administrations.
Secretary of the Central Committee of the opposition KAAH Party, Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari referenced the controversial Ethiopia–Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding as an example of insufficient national consultation on major foreign policy matters.
“The President must not abandon the standards set by previous presidents and act entirely on his own. Major national decisions require consultation with national parties.”
Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari, further accused the administration of blurring the line between government institutions and political administration.
“The distinction between the administration and the state has become completely blurred. Ministers spend their time on Facebook arguing instead of governing.”
Direct Criticism of Presidency Minister Khadar Hussein
A major part of the press conference targeted Presidency Minister Khadar Hussein Abdi, whom Secretary of the Central Committee of the opposition KAAH Party, Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari accused of contradicting himself and making irresponsible public statements that could damage public trust.
The KAAH official alleged the minister had previously expressed support for political coordination with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, while now accusing others of undermining Somaliland’s recognition efforts.
“Just yesterday, Khadar told us he saw no problem coordinating with Hassan Sheikh. Today he claims others are opposing Somaliland recognition. This contradiction cannot be ignored.”
Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari accused Khadar of lacking professionalism expected from a senior government official and warned that his public remarks were creating confusion, particularly among young Somaliland citizens.
“Khadar must maintain the integrity and ethical standards required of a minister. It is unacceptable for a minister to confuse the public and spread misinformation.”
Opposition Demands Full Accountability
In closing remarks, Secretary Abdikaliq Abdilahi Awal Bari said the opposition would continue demanding full accountability from the government and insisted that Somaliland citizens deserve complete transparency regarding international negotiations.
He urged President Irro to reshuffle officials he described as ineffective and warned that continued secrecy could damage national institutions.
“Mr. President Irro, reveal whatever secrets you are hiding and bring those agreements before the people. Somaliland belongs to its citizens, and governance must remain transparent.”
The latest remarks highlight growing political tensions in Somaliland as debate intensifies over the government’s foreign policy strategy and recent reports surrounding possible diplomatic engagement with Israel and Somaliland’s international recognition campaign.
Prepared By
Horn Post Staff
HARGEISA, Somaliland
