The Somaliland government has issued a statement following an unexpected clash at Hargeisa’s Egal International Airport involving security guards of former President Muse Bihi Abdi and police officers.
The confrontation occurred as Bihi was preparing to depart for the United Arab Emirates, according to officials.
Aviation Minister Fu’aad Ahmed Nuuh stated that the incident stemmed from a lack of prior notification to airport authorities regarding the former president’s travel plans. He said Bihi’s convoy arrived with a large number of vehicles outside the established protocol, contributing to a misunderstanding with airport security personnel.
Nuuh added that government officials later met with representatives of the former president, agreeing that any future travel arrangements would be coordinated in a more orderly and transparent manner to prevent similar incidents.
Police spokesman Abdiaziz Sheikh Ismail provided additional details, noting that the confrontation escalated when civilians accompanying the convoy attempted to force their way into the airport. Police subsequently ordered the arrest of the soldiers who opened fire during the clash to facilitate a full investigation.
According to Ismail, the Police Chief has appointed a special investigative committee to examine the circumstances of the incident and provide recommendations. This is not the first time tensions have arisen between Bihi’s security guards and airport personnel, with similar clashes reportedly occurring in the past.
