Chairman of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union Arrested

[Jacaylbaro]

Harggeisa (HOL): Chairman of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union Mr. Abdilllahi Mohamed Abdirahman (Awal Bari) was arrested last night while he was staying at Hotel Sa’ad in the city of Hargeisa.

 

Mr. Abdillahi Arab Ismail who is a member of the Union confirmed for HOL that the Chairman was first taken to a Police Station at New Hargeisa but later transferred to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department. “The Chairman was arrested while staying at Sa’ad Hotel and was first taken to New Hargeisa Police Station where he remained about an hour waiting for the arrival of the chief Police Station after which he was transferred to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department,” said Mr. Ismail.

 

Mr. Arab added that when they tried to bring a mattress to the Chairman, they were denied access to him. “When we tried to bring him a mattress at the place he was being held, the deputy of the Criminal Investigation denied us access to the Chairman so we retuned” said Mr. Ismail.

 

When we asked what they know about the arrests of the Chairman, Mr. Ismail responded that they don’t know anything about the reasons for his arrest but suspect that it may have something to do with an interruption of Somaliland livestock exports related to a recent agreement the Somaliland government reached with a Saudi businessman.

 

Talking about how they feel about the arrest of the Chairman, Mr. Ismail said “we see the arrest of the Chairman a violation of his rights since he has not been accused of any crimes.” Mr. Ismail added that “the time and place where was arrested also display a disrespect on behalf of the government since the Chairman is a respected community member”.

 

In a press conference held yesterday, members of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union, including the arrested Chairman, requested from the president of Somaliland to allow export of livestock. In recent days there has been a dispute between Somaliland government and Somaliland Livestock Traders Union. The disputed is related to the Union’s opposition to an agreement the Somaliland government reached with a Saudi businessman. The Union urged the government to reverse its decision because they see it as an obstacle to the development of Somaliland Livestock Industry.

[Jacaylbaro]

“Heshiis khiyaamo ah oo cid gaar ahi gashay oo aan Baarlamanka la horgeyn, ayaa nalagu cunoqabateeyey, waxaannu dadweynaha reer Somaliland u sheegaynaa in aanaan heshiiskaa ogolayn, dekeda Berbera ee aannu xaqa u leenahay in aannu ka dhoofinana aanaan cidna wax ka weydiinayn, laakiin dawladda cashuurteeda aannu ogolanahay,

cidii intaa ka hortimaadna wixii Ilaahay na kala bado ayaanu kala yeelaynaa.”

They should be kept in prison for at least 2 years. They're just merchants and they should follow the country's rule not to threaten the government.

[Che -Guevara]

The union is right on this one. I don't understand the government's heavy handed approach. It looks their answer to every problem is imprisonment.