Bihi slams UN over Las Anod evictions censure

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HARGEISA: Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has slammed the United Nations Humanitarian Agency OCHA for calling out his administration on the ongoing deportations, noting the evictions were carried out humanely and was necessitated by security concerns.

Bihi has termed the UN agency as “hypocritical and dishonest” in its quest of raising alarm over the forceful evictions of the southerners from Las Anod.

The Somaliland leader accused the agency of criticism against the evictions and engagement in publicity stunts terming the act as a disgrace to the United Nations.

“OCHA publicises suffering of people when it raises funds in Muslim countries. It has never done anything for the people who lived in Las Anod”

Bihi’s accusation came after OCHA Somalia said Somaliland expelled 7,250 Somalis since October 2 without food, water and medicine, allegations strongly refuted by Muse.

The Agency further stated in a statement that another 24 families had been relocated to villages under Buhoodle, while about 400 families (2,400) people had been informed to leave Erigavo by October 21st while reporting the loss of relatives and children, as well as property, allegations largely rejected by Somaliland.

“I think what the United Nations has said is not in the best interest of the people who have been relocated from Las Anod. What have you added to those thirty years? What do you do if OCHA is worried about refugees? Why didn’t they help? Why is OCHA crying today?” said President Bihi in angry rhetoric.