Former Somaliland President, Mr. Muse Bihi Abdi, has responded Thursday a speech delivered by the incumbent Somaliland President, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, stating that ex-President Bihi had previously claimed to have secured a recognition from countries, yet failed to produce any such recognition, further calling upon him to support the ongoing efforts in securing an official recognition for Somaliland, just as he did once Israel officially recognized Somaliland. In a post on his Facebook page, Bihi revealed that he never claimed to have secured an official recognition from Guinea-Conakry and Ethiopia. He accused President Irro of misinterpreting his earlier remarks, adding that his stance has always been that Somaliland requires international recognition, but major decisions regarding the matter require in-depth deliberations. Bihi recalled the statement he made on the day Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland, noting that he welcomed the move, while calling for a meticulous examination of its various aspects.
He disclosed that he has not previously expected Israel to officially recognize Somaliland, but he maintains that recognition remains a top priority for Somaliland. Israel’s recognition and the opening of the Somaliland embassy in Jerusalem have sparked political debate among Somaliland politicians in recent weeks. Some have described it as a significant diplomatic opportunity that boosts efforts towards recognition, while others have expressed concern about the potential impact on Somaliland’s relations with Islamic nations and the region. In his statement, Bihi also scathingly criticized the way Irro handled his overseas trips. He noted that President Irro has admitted to previously visiting Israel in secret, questioning why the trip had been concealed from the public and the media. He further pointed out that the President and his ministers were in different countries during their most recent trip abroad, questioning the reasons behind such secrecy and fragmentation. President Irro has not yet directly responded to the new allegations levelled against him by ex-president Musa Bihi. The exchange of accusations between the two leaders comes amidst ongoing heated debate within Somaliland and across the Horn of Africa regarding relations between Israel and Somaliland.
