HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland government has dismissed as baseless the reports claiming that security guards were removed from the residence of former President Muse Bihi Abdi. However, the ruling Kulmiye Party confirmed that the guards had indeed been withdrawn from Bihi’s residence.

The Minister of Security, Abdalle Mohamed Arab ‘Sandheere,’ denied these claims, which Kulmiye stated to be true and which were widely circulated in the media yesterday, alleging that the government had removed the guards stationed at the former president’s home.

“I can assure you that this news is false, baseless, and unfounded. The former president is highly respected by the state. He fought for the nation and served as its president. His security detail remains intact at his residence,” said Sandheere.

The minister accused certain individuals, whom he referred to as “state saboteurs,” of spreading defamatory rumors against Somaliland. He added that such individuals had been repeatedly warned against disseminating such baseless news.

“They are disrespecting the former president and defaming the government by spreading unfounded rumors,” Sandheere said.

The Kulmiye Party expressed anger over the removal of Bihi’s security detail, with senior party officials holding a meeting on the matter. During the meeting, Minister Sandheere reportedly contacted the party’s chairman, Mohamed Kahin, and both sides reached an agreement to resolve the issue.

“The security personnel have been reinstated, and we have handled the matter respectfully. However, we are surprised by the Interior Minister’s denial of the incident, despite us confirming that it indeed occurred,” said Kulmiye Party spokesperson Abdinasiir Mohamed Hassan Buuni during a media briefing.

Overall, Somaliland media reported yesterday that guards had been withdrawn from Bihi’s residence, and Kulmiye confirmed the action. However, today, the media has reported the return of the security guards to the former president’s home.