Top Somaliland opposition leader tests positive for COVID-19

HARGEISA, Somalia - A leading Somaliland opposition leader has on Friday announced that he tested positive for the novel Coronavirus and went into self-isolation, which has continued to wreak havoc around the world.

In his Twitter post, opposition leader Abdirahman Abdullahi alias Irro confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19, a move which technically means that he has to proceed to compulsory isolation in one of the facilities. He's the latest senior politician to test positive for the disease.

The veteran politician said he will proceed to seven days of self-quarantine in compliance with World Health Organization regulations as doctors also monitor his situation. But he insisted that the disease was asymptomatic since he hadn't shown signs of being critical.

"I have tested positive for COVID-19, I will undergo 7 days self-quarantine. I have no complications and in good health at the moment. I'm grateful to Allah in all situations," said the Waddani Party leader, in a tweet which saw several people with his good health.

Despite having been leading a solid opposition, Irro recently reconciled with President Muse Bihi Abdi following the signing of a top political agreement along with the UCID party, which would see the region holding elections later on this year. The internal agreement was brokered by the EU which has a keen interest in Somaliland.

Pundits believe that the decision by Somaliland's leadership to come together may have been triggered by the ongoing quest for nationhood. The region claims it seceded from Somalia in 1991 and since then, it has been leading a parallel government which is considered as one of the most stable in the Horn of Africa. 

GAROWE ONLINE