Detention Of Buurmadow: A Threat To The Rule Of Law

[miles-militis]

Detention Of A Prominent Traditional Somaliland Leader: A Threat To The Rule Of Law And Its Future Stability Dr. Mohamud Jama — New York,USA — 17 February, 2004

 

On January 26, 2004, local police took into custody Boqor Osman Mohamud Aw Adan (Buur Madow). On January 27, 2004, the police brought Boqor Osman before a local judge, who ordered his continued detention at the request of the local prosecutor. Boqor Osman is being detained to humiliate him and discredit his peace efforts within Somaliland and reputation as a peacemaker. He is diabetic and is being held under unsanitary and degrading conditions.

 

The Minister of Internal Security of the Somaliland administration has accused Boqor Osman of aiding and abetting the enemies of Somaliland and posing a threat to Somaliland's separation from the rest of Somalia. The Minister also accused Boqor Osman of maligning the President and other officials of Somaliland.

 

The official accusations against Boqor Osman are based on a newspaper article in one of the local newspapers, Jamhuurya. The article cited a press statement Boqor Osman issued in response to a series of articles in local newspapers in which local officials questioned his motives and patriotism.

 

In the press statement, Boqor Osman re-stated his belief in dialogue and commitment to a peaceful resolution of the current dispute between Somaliland and Puntland. He proposed mediation by traditional leaders of the affected communities and called on the officials of both Somaliland and Puntland to give mediation by the traditional leaders from communities in the disputed areas a chance to seek a political solution.

 

Boqor Osman is one of the traditional leaders of the eastern regions of Somaliland- Sanag, Sool and Togdheer. Somaliland formally announced its secession from Somalia. Parts of all three regions are home to some clans who have clan affinity to the communities across the border in Puntland (Northeast regions of Somalia.). This has made the border areas a source of dispute between Somaliland and Puntland, and rivalry among representatives of these areas in the Somaliland and Puntland and local politicians aligned with the two administrations.

 

Boqor Osman has consistently worked for peace in Somaliland and among the Somali communities in general. In 1996, he was one of the principal leaders who successfully mediated a peace among the communities of Sanag. That peace has helped stabilize the region. During 2002 -2003, he led successful mediations between rival wings of Puntland administration, after militia of one of the sides sought safety in his ancestral homeland. He provided safety but also started a dialogue that led to reconciliation between the two sides.

 

Boqor Osman is widely credited with facilitating peace in Sanag, and among neighboring communities in Puntland. His arrest and continued detention directly challenges those who prefer dialogue and peace to fomenting local conflicts for narrow political interests. The pretext and procedures used to silence Boqor Osman pose a real threat to the rule of law in Somaliland and therefore to its unity, future stability and the credibility and legitimacy of its institutions and leadership.