Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland authorities have today released Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow, a member of Somali federal parliament and a presidential candidate for the 2020/2021 election.

The lawmaker was arrested at Egal Airport in Hargeisa yesterday, and is been deported back to Mogadishu.

Sources indicated to local media that the purpose of Mustafa Dhuhulow’s trip was related to an invitation he received from an Hargeisa based German organization.

There has been no official word from Somaliland on the arrest and the reported deportation of the federal government official.

The arrest of MP Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow was trending on social media and was the most covered news item on local news media.

Somaliland regained its independence from Somalia in 1991, does not allow Somali federal government officials to visit its territory.