BURAO — Former Burao mayor and politician Muraad has called for the mobilisation of large-scale demonstrations across Somaliland in opposition to the administration of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro”.
Muraad said preparations were underway for protests in several regions, describing the planned mobilisation as a response to what he portrayed as growing dissatisfaction with the government.
“We are preparing for strong demonstrations that will take place across the regions of Somaliland,” Muraad said, according to remarks circulated in local media.
He did not give a specific date for the proposed demonstrations or provide details about the groups expected to participate.
Muraad also criticised the recent visit to Burao by Minister Khadar, saying residents had expected President Irro to visit the city himself.
“We were expecting the president. We were not expecting Minister Khadar to come to Burao,” he said.
Muraad said he was disappointed by the minister’s arrival, adding: “What we were waiting for was the president.”
The remarks come amid political debate in Somaliland over the government’s policies and its engagement with communities and political figures outside the capital, Hargeisa.
If the proposed mobilisation expands across several regions, it could increase political pressure on the administration and test its relationship with local political actors.
Muraad did not specify the demands that protesters would put forward, nor did he say whether the planned mobilisation had received backing from opposition parties or other political groups.
The Somaliland administration had not immediately issued a response to Muraad’s remarks.
The claims regarding the planned demonstrations, their organisation and their potential scale could not be independently verified.
