Historic Town Hall Meeting Unites Six MPs in Erigavo for the First Time

On May 2nd, 2024, a landmark Town Hall Meeting was held in Erigavo, Sanaag region, marking a historic moment for the city and Somaliland at large. For the first time ever, all six Members of Parliament (MPs) elected from the Sanaag region came together in a single forum to engage directly with the community a milestone achievement that had never been accomplished before in Erigavo.

The meeting was a direct response to the community’s previous calls for greater representation, and the overwhelming participation of MPs demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing local concerns.

The six attending MPs were:

1. MP Mubaarik Muuse Ismaacill Xuseen

2. MP Cabdikarim Milcaad Isaaq Xuseen

3. MP Khadar Cali Xasan

4. MP Maxamuud Saalax Cabdi

5. MP Saalaxa Maxamed Diriye

6. MP Axmed Cabdi Ducaale (Walhad)

Key Issues Raised by the Community

Residents took full advantage of this rare opportunity to voice pressing concerns, including:

• Unified Taxation: Jama, a community member, questioned MP Khadar about the challenges faced by eastern regions without a port, urging fair tax policies.

• Healthcare Crisis: A local scholar highlighted the dire state of Erigavo Hospital, particularly its neglected psychiatric ward, demanding urgent improvements.

• Sports Inequality: A young footballer raised the issue of salary disparities for players in Sanaag compared to other regions under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

• Gold Mining Conflicts: Attendees also addressed deadly disputes linked to gold mining in parts of Sanaag, calling for government intervention.

MPs’ Responses & Commitments

• MP Khadar assured the public that efforts were underway to reform taxation policies for fairer distribution, especially for regions without ports.

• All MPs acknowledged the urgent need to upgrade Erigavo Hospital, particularly the psychiatric ward, and vowed to push for better healthcare services.

• Regarding sports, they promised to investigate salary discrepancies and advocate for equal treatment of athletes in Sanaag.

• On mining conflicts, they emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions and stronger oversight to prevent violence.

For the first time in Erigavo’s memory, the voices of the people were met not with silence or delay, but with the collective presence of all six MPs elected to represent the Sanaag region. This was no ordinary gathering; it was a defining moment in Somaliland’s grassroots democracy.

Communities in Sanaag had voiced concerns, but rarely with all their elected leaders in the same room. This time, thanks to the persistent efforts of IPRT, which worked tirelessly to facilitate dialogue and bridge gaps, every single MP showed up. Their commitment proved that when institutions like IPRT empower communities to demand representation, leaders can and will respond.

The sight of six MPs standing together, ready to engage, sent a powerful message: collaboration is possible, and change is within reach when organizations and citizens work in partnership.