(28-07-23) HARGEISA – Somaliland is currently in the throes of a rising political storm as a new opposition group amasses in defiance of President Muse Bihi Abdi’s ruling government. Social media platforms have been flooded with visuals of heavily armed rebels rallying at the Gacan-Libah Mountain, located in the God’wayn region between Hargeisa and Berbera, highlighting the gravity of the unfolding situation.
According to local sources, these armed militias consist predominantly of community members from the areas neighbouring Gacan-Libah Mountain. Over the past few weeks, a noticeable build-up of forces in the region has been reported, signifying an intensification of their military capabilities.
The militia, identifying themselves as “Anti-Oppression”, have openly declared opposition to President Muse Bihi Abdi’s regime. However, the precise count of their forces remains unconfirmed. While the significance behind their chosen nomenclature, “Anti-Oppression”, has not been explicitly detailed, it is widely believed that their dissent stems from political controversies in Somaliland, specifically recent election disputes. This theory gains credence considering the newly announced election timetable by the election commission.
Sources indicate that the group’s operation is funded through a blend of self-collection and financial aid from expatriates hailing from the same region. An active fundraising campaign has been launched to support the rebels, who have made the Gacan-Libah Mountain their base.
Quick to point fingers, the opposition party Wadani has attributed the birth of this rebellion to the alleged governance failings of President Muse Bihi. The party, in a statement, directly linked the revolt to the president’s perceived mismanagement.
At present, Somaliland is caught in a quagmire of challenges including a war in LasAnod and brewing discord due to the forthcoming elections with the administration. The recent decision by the electoral commission to prioritise party elections over the presidential ones has further stirred the political pot. The emergence of this new armed opposition undoubtedly compounds the intricacies of an already fraught political landscape.
