Somaliland: Opposition Official Dies Others Injured in a Car Accident

HARGEISA, 6 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Reports coming from Berbera say members from the opposition party, KULMIYE have been injured in a car accident an hour ago.

Ali Marshal, the campaign manager of Kulmiye in the Western regions instantly died in the incident. The Second Vice Chairman of the party Mr. Abdirahman Abdiqadir and Mohamed Hashi Elmi have have also been injured and admitted to Berbera hospital. One of them is reported to be in a very serious condition.

The officials were on their way to Berbera airport to welcome the opposition leader who is expected to arrive from Nairobi today.

Somalilandpress reporter, Mr. Abdiqani Baynah was also among the injured and rushed to Berbera hospital. Efforts are ongoing to transfer the wounded to Hargeisa hospital for treatment.

This is the first of its kind the political parties witness prior to the presidential election scheduled on the 27th of September.

The leader of Kulmiye party was slightly injured about two weeks ago while he slipped in his house. He was taken to Nairobi for treatment and said he is ready to resume his duty. He was coming back to the country today after reports say he had a meeting with Mr. Donald Payne, the chairman of the US congress sub-committee for Africa in Nairobi.

There is no official statement from the party as per now but this will be a painful moment for the opposition as the elections are coming nearer.

Somalilandpress