MPs exchange blows in Somaliland parliament over registration of new parties

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HARGEISA: A fracas ensued in the Somaliland House of Representatives today after members of the ruling party and those from the opposition clashed exchanging kicks and blows.

A video making rounds on social media shows some of the members of parliament engaging in a fistfight calling for the intervention from security officers who were forced to fire into the air to quell the situation.

The incident occurred following a statement by the minister of information Saleban Ali Koore, on Sunday announcing the reopening of the political space to allow registration of new political parties.

“The president having respected the law of the land, honoring the will and wish of the people, and by exercising the constitutional powers enshrined in the constitution, the president has formally announced that the registration of political organizations is open, Koore told parliament.

It has emerged that the lawmakers differed on how the registration of new parties would be done leading to a scuffle. The opposition – Waddani and UCID are reportedly opposed to the new changes.

According to sources, the situation has returned to normal and the Somaliland parliament has resumed business.