Hargeisa – Somaliland’s opposition KULMIYE Party has launched a scathing attack on the ruling WADDANI Party, accusing it of mismanaging critical issues such as relations with Taiwan, the handling of war prisoners from the Laascaanood conflict, and cracking down on press freedom.

In a large meeting held 4^th may at their headquarters in Hargeisa, KULMIYE addressed the political situation in Somaliland. The meeting, attended by the senior leadership of the party, discussed a wide range of issues.

KULMIYE sharply condemned the WADDANI Party’s failure to defend Somaliland’s relationship with Taiwan. The party described the relationship as a crucial diplomatic success stemming from the policies of the previous KULMIYE administration, calling it an “important diplomatic achievement.”

The party also criticized WADDANI for not responding to the political attacks by the Federal Government of Somalia on the Taiwanese Embassy in Hargeisa. KULMIYE urged the WADDANI Party to protect Somaliland’s interests and those of its international allies.

“It is expected of the WADDANI Party to safeguard the interests of the governments we have relations with, and not to delay working on the recognition efforts,” the statement read.

KULMIYE also harshly criticized WADDANI’s handling of the prisoners taken during the Laascaanood conflict. They stated that the dignity of the prisoners was violated when they were secretly returned to Hargeisa and handed over under the Somali flag when taken to Mogadishu.

Furthermore, KULMIYE pointed out that the prisoners exchanged did not match, with Somaliland releasing the most important prisoners, while it was unclear where the counterparts were. The party called on WADDANI to clarify its plans regarding the release of the remaining detainees.

“The WADDANI Party is expected to clarify its plans regarding the release of the remaining prisoners,” the statement added.

The party also raised concerns about what they described as “intimidation and coercion” faced by the media under WADDANI’s rule. They emphasized that the Somaliland constitution guarantees freedom of speech, and thus, it is unacceptable for the press to face imprisonment or threats.