Somaliland president accuses Somalia in aviation expert's death

The president of Somaliland has accused Somalia's government of being complicit in the death of an aviation expert from the self-declared republic.

Abdinasir Dahable, an employee of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, was found dead on 18 February.

Forensic examinations confirmed signs of torture on the body, which was discovered in his home in Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu.

Speaking at Mr Dahable's funeral, after his body was transported to his birthplace, the city of Gabiley, President Muse Bihi Abdi expressed an urgent need for transparency and justice.

He accused Somalia's government of "assassinating" Mr Dahable and asked for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the death of the expert.

Somalia's government has not responded to BBC News Somali's request for comment, but it previously said an investigation into Mr Dahable's murder was ongoing and that six suspects had been detained.

President Bihi's accusation heightens already existing tensions over the ongoing dispute between Somaliland and Somalia over the control of airspace.

The two are also feuding over a deal that landlocked Ethiopia made with Somaliland over sea access, which Somalia termed "an aggression".

Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and has vowed to defend its sovereignty.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as an independent state.