A parliamentarian from Sool region held a press conference on Sunday criticizing the recent unity agreement between the Government of the Republic of Somaliland and Khatumo.
Saleban Ali Koore, a veteran Somaliland MP, expressed concerns about the way the agreement was conducted and questioned the central government’s acceptance of Khatumo’s claim of being a regional administration.
“First off, I welcome any unity agreement that is in Somaliland’s interest,” Koore said.
“I haven’t seen any article in Somaliland’s constitution allowing two presidents, and two governments,” Koore said.
“An agreement can be signed, but it shouldn’t violate Somaliland’s constitution. The Government should provide more clarification on the agreement,” Koore added.
“This group that signed an agreement with Somaliland claims to have their own regional administration and President. It is unnecessary and provocative,”.
Koore then conveyed a personal message to Khatumo’s leaders, telling his fellow tribesmen that ‘we were part of Somaliland a long time ago’ and that the agreement is ‘nothing new’.
Sources close to Koore say the MP is upset about the unity agreement, fearing that it could harm his own political ambitions.
Koore was one the few politicians from Sool that have supported an independent Somaliland since the restoration of independence and is said to be unpleased about the sudden arrival and welcoming his distant relatives.
Koore announced his candidacy for the Speaker of Somaliland’s Parliament in April. As per Somaliland’s 1993 power-sharing agreement, the next Speaker is expected to hail from the Harti Darood clan – the clan of Koore and the Khatumo leadership. Prior to the unity agreement, Koore was expected to be one of the front-runners.
