Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland cabinet held its weekly video-conference today and discussed issues related to the upcoming elections in Somalia and its effects on Somaliland.

A statement from the cabinet meeting chaired by President Muse Bihi Abdi said that it is an insult to Somaliland to elect members of parliament in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The Somaliland cabinet added that Somalia was already at war with the Somaliland state, according to the statement.

The council warned Somaliland citizens against trying to participate in what they said was a fake representation.

“Therefore, the citizens of Somaliland who try to take part in the fraudulent representation in Mogadishu have violated the decision of the two houses, violated the laws and regulations of the country, and will be punished accordingly.” The cabinet said in a statement.

This is not the first time that the Somaliland government has criticized the electoral process in Somalia and the participation of Somaliland citizens.

It will take more than empty criticism to address the core issues between Somaliland and Somalia, both government are yet to present credible solutions to the issues at hand.