Security forces at the Cigaal Airport in Hargeisa fired shots in the air as former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi departed for a trip to the United Arab Emirates today.
The gunfire was heard after an argument broke out between former President Bihi’s bodyguards and airport security, with one of the Cigaal security guards firing in the air. After that, President Bihi and his accompanying politicians were seen on social media entering the airport without any security.
Politicians supporting Bihi, including the clerics and opposition party leaders, strongly condemned the attack on Bihi, saying that he was harassed, but chose to leave quietly so that the public would not be alarmed.
“The attack on former President Muse Bihi is a horrific act that threatens national security. It was an act intended to harm his honor,” said President Bihi’s former secretary in a post on social media, reacting to the treatment of Bihi.
The KULMIYE Party has condemned the action taken by the Police at Hargeisa Airport today against the 5th President of Somaliland. “The KULMIYE Party finds it unacceptable that the police used bullets on the former President of Somaliland, Mr. Muse Bihi Abdi,” the party said in a statement.
“We await the ruling government, especially the Ministry of Aviation and security agencies, to provide an official response to this heinous incident that paints a false picture of the Somaliland government system.”
The KAAH Party also expressed its deep regret over the incident, describing it as a shooting and obstruction at Cigaal Airport in the capital, Hargeisa. “The action that caused the former President to enter the airport was indeed an act of disrespect and violation of decency. Former President Muse Bihi Abdi is a President who led this country and deserves constant respect and admiration.”
“We call on the Somaliland government to apologize for the actions that were against the honor and dignity of the former President.”
Finally, the KAAH Party called for an independent investigation into the incident, and for the government to take appropriate steps to hold accountable anyone involved.
