Former ONLF leader Qalbi Dhaqah arrives in Hargeisa

Former ONLF leader Abdikarim Muse popularly known as Qalbi Dhaqah Tuesday landed in Hargeisa in his first return to the country after he was handed over to the Ethiopian government and declared a terrorist by Somali government.

Muse who has been in Kenya since he was released July 28 from an Ethiopian jail following sweeping reforms by the new prime minister Ahmed Abiy received a rousing welcome in Somaliland’s capital.

Among those who received Muse were government officials, politicians and members of the public who were waving Somaliland flags.

Muse was detained in Galkaayo last August and transported to Mogadishu. On September 6, the cabinet endorsed a resolution declaring Muse and his group, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) terrorists and subsequently handed him to Ethiopian authorities where he was jailed.

In his public address Tuesday, Muse said ONLF members would be touring Somaliland soon.