Ali-Guban: Why I Oppose the Welcome for MP Laab-Saalax in Ohio
I strongly oppose the decision to welcome MP Laab-Saalax.
In my view, MP Laab-Saalax has aligned himself with forces that have sought to undermine Somaliland’s statehood, peace, and stability. I believe he supported the armed groups that fought in eastern Sool and the Gacan-Libaax mountains and was politically aligned with those who waged war against the Republic of Somaliland during the 2022–2023 insurrection.
Someone who, in my view, supported forces that Somaliland fought to defeat should not be welcomed or celebrated. Public honor should be reserved for those who defend Somaliland’s sovereignty and democratic institutions—not for those perceived to have sided with those challenging them.
People should unite around shared principles, common interests, sound public policy, and a vision for Somaliland’s future—not around clan identity. Supporting politicians simply because they belong to one’s clan has weakened our politics. Clan loyalty, combined with a culture of impunity and the absence of accountability, has, in my opinion, helped elevate figures such as President Cirro, Hirsi Gaab, Samaale, Buur-Madow, Mohamud Hashi Abdi, and others to positions of influence despite serious public controversies surrounding their records.
It is time to hold politicians accountable.
In my opinion, Laab-Saalax has demonstrated neither effective political leadership nor a meaningful commitment to public service. Instead of earning respect through public service, he built his political profile by acting as a sycophant to those in power. His unwavering praise of the administration of Abdi Mohamoud Omar (“Abdi Iley”)—whose tenure in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State was widely criticized for serious human rights abuses—speaks volumes about his political judgment.
What has MP Laab-Saalax accomplished for the people of Gabiley, Guban, or Somaliland as a whole? If there are significant legislative achievements or public service accomplishments to his credit, I would welcome seeing that record.
When has he consistently stood up for the interests of the largely struggling communities he represents in Gabiley, Wajaale, Arabsiyo, Alley-Baday, Geed-Ballaadh, Agabar, Seemaal, Ceel Berdaale, and the surrounding villages? How often has he visited these communities to hear their concerns? What lasting improvements can his constituents point to after years in public office?
These are fair questions. Democracy cannot function without accountability.
Likewise, I see nothing wrong with citizens demanding accountability from politicians within their own communities. If other communities choose to celebrate politicians they support, that is their decision. But we should judge our representatives by their integrity, their record of service, and the results they deliver—not by their surname or clan affiliation.
As for the event itself, I do not object to any private group organizing a reception for a politician. What I do object to is a group calling itself the Somaliland Community of Ohio while claiming to speak for an entire diaspora community that it does not genuinely represent.
The organizers are politically aligned with the Kaah Party, which is widely associated with a particular sub-clan, and its leader, Mohamud Hashi Abdi, whose public record has long been the subject of allegations of corruption, patronage, and abuse of office. During his tenure in the Silanyo administration, including as Minister of Civil Aviation, critics raised questions about the management of aviation revenues, the Kuwait-funded expansion of Hargeisa Airport, and policies they argue enabled Somalia to assume greater authority over Somaliland’s airspace and aspects of airport operations, including imposing including passenger fees. Adding to the controversy, reports indicate that allegations of ties to the Ictisaam extremist group contributed to his denial of entry into the United States last year.
Some readers will undoubtedly disagree with my views or object to my tone. That is their right. But I am tired of seeing politicians who, in my opinion, have failed to deliver meaningful results for either the people or the Republic of Somaliland treated as heroes. Somaliland deserves a political culture built on accountability rather than personality, performance rather than patronage, and principle rather than clan loyalty.
The time has come to stop rewarding political failure and start demanding responsible leadership.
Long Live the Republic of Somaliland.
Ali-Guban Mohamed is a political analyst specializing in Horn of Africa politics, and the founder and editor of Gubanmedia.com, a site dedicated to news, analysis, and commentary on the region
