Somaliland: Regional Chief Judge Resigns, Before Being Transferred Fo Appeals Court.

[Deeq A.]

Hargeisa, T(Qaran news)Chief– Judge of the Marodi Jeh Regional Court, Ahmed Dalmar resigned from his position, before being transferred to the Regional  Appeals Court in Hargeisa.

Judge Ahmed Dalmar who has gained a reputation as an independent adjudicator appears to have fallen foul of the administration of President Muse Bihi Abdi. The judge recently declined to hear a case against journalist Abdimalik Coldon who has arrested without a warrant in Burao, Togdher and transferred to Marodi Jeh to be tried.

In his decision, Judge Dalmar ruled that the journalist was detained without a warrant and his case should be heard in the proper jurisdiction, which in this case is the Togdher Regional Court. That ruling was ignored by the government and the journalist, Coldon, is incarcerated in Hargeisa and currently awaiting trial.

Speaking to the media, Judge Dalmar stated that he was resigning for personal reasons. Subsequently, the Chief Justice of Somaliland, Aden Haji Ali Ahmed issued a statement transferring the judge to the Marodi Jeh Regional Appeals Court. It is not clear whether the transfer will be accepted by Judge Dalmar, who promised to call a press conference in the near future.

It is becoming quite clear that the administration of President Muse Bihi Abdi is exerting undue influence on the judiciary in Somaliland, and the position of the Chief Justice appears to have become politicized. Meanwhile, the moribund Somaliland legislature, which overseas all judiciary matters,  appears to be incapable of asserting any authority. 

Qaran News