MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – The leader of Somalia’s main opposition party has today returned to the country from neighbouring Kenya.
The chair of Wadajir party, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, was received by a number of lawmakers from the opposition party at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu.
Mr. Abdirahman left the country six months ago immediately after his release from custody after he was accused of treason.
In an interview with Kenya’s Standard digital last week, Mr. Abdirahman announced his plans to hold a big rally in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which will also be used to honour five of his bodyguards who were killed as security agencies arrested him on December 19 last year.
“I am a leader of the party that opposed the federal government. I was attacked by more than 20 security officers who killed my five bodyguards. We are going to hold a peace rally to commemorate this day and pay honour to the fallen men,” he said.
The opposition leader has accused the government of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of seeking to return the country to the old dark days.
“It is a new phenomenon in Somali since 1991. It is a new approach by the current government which brings back memories of Siad Barre,” he said.
Last December, five of his guards were killed during the standoff with security agency during his arrest, and he sustained slight wounds on the arm.
Former planning minister was arrested for treason charges according to the office of the attorney general before the court secured his freedom due to lack of sufficient evidence by the police.
Abdirahman was a candidate in a February 2017 election won by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.
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