Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland’s Minister of Defense, Abdiqani Mohamud Ateye, dismissed remarks made by Somaliland’s new Speaker of the House of Representatives Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed during an interview with Universal TV.

Minister Ateye said the campaign for the speaker House of Representatives was being contested by all parties and there was no apparent pressure from the government on the opposition, in response to allegations by speaker Khalif that the government had used too much power and which made the race for the House leadership difficult.

“When Speaker Khalif was asked what caused the difficulty for the speaker’s elections, he replied that the Somaliland government did not want a balanced three pillars of government. In response to this, we had to contest the speakership, which was contested by UCID and Kulmiye parties in a dignified manner.” Said Ateye.

The minister also denied that the former House of Representatives had joined with the ruling party and just carried out government functions, as claimed by Chairman Khalif during an interview with Universal TV.

The minister also dismissed the absence of scholars and intellectuals from the Sool region in Somaliland, citing the example of traditional leaders and intellectuals in Somaliland.

Somaliland Defense Minister Abdiqani Mohamud Ateye, speaking on behalf of the Somaliland government, rebuked allegations made by Somaliland House of Representatives Speaker Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed in a recent interview.