Photo/Somali Times
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mahdi Guled, spoke for the first time about why federal government officials cannot travel to Somaliland.
Mahdi Guled first argued that he and other incumbent politicians could travel to Somaliland, which claims to be an independent state, but considers the security of Somalilanders. He said the main reason why incumbent politicians could not travel to Somaliland was to protect the general security of Somaliland and the unity of the Somaliland people, he said.
“We have made that we do not go to Hargeisa in the peace of these people by looking, we can go, but we do not want violence. The Minister of Information can go to Burao, the Minister of Constitution can go to Erigavo, Minister Beyle can go to Awdal, there is nothing against it and we are talking day and night,” said Guled Mahdi.
He added, “So we are keeping the peace and there is a solution for these Somalilanders through dialogue and fruitful cooperation.”
Mahdi also argued that if a referendum were held, the majority of Somalilanders would believe in the unity of Somalia and would choose unity, which would undermine Somaliland’s independence set.
Mahdi’s statement comes at a time when Somaliland has recently issued a decree announcing conditions for politicians from its constituencies holding positions in Farmajo’s government to travel to Somaliland, ordering him to renounce Somalia’s unity.