'No Political Prisoners in Somaliland' Press Release Somaliland Forum

[Jacaylbaro]

SOMALILAND FORUM

 

PRESS RELEASE - IMMEDIATE

 

Ref: SF/CLC/28/07 Date: 31/07/2007

 

 

Building a democracy in an unrecognised country with very limited resources is not easy, but Somaliland has already done what many thought was impossible. Three popular successful elections have been held and we are just approaching the next round of elections. This remarkable achievement in a region where democracy is not flourishing must not be undermined by precipitous actions on the part of the Somaliland Government.

 

We have chosen (understandably because of the 1960s experience, but wrongly in our view, as we have said repeatedly before) that we will have a constitutional limit of three political parties, but there is nothing in our constitution or laws that says that these parties will forever be the current three (UDUB, KULMIYE & UCID) which succeeded as being the top three political associations in the last 2002 local elections. Now that we are approaching another set of local elections, the leaders of QARAN political association and, so far, two other declared associations, are not challenging the constitutional three party limit but are saying that they want to exercise their constitutional right to association and to be given the chance to contest the forthcoming local elections in December 2007.

 

They argue that there is no law which stops them from doing that and that it is the Government which is breaking the law and the constitution by not setting up again the political associations registration committee which was disbanded 6 months after the 2002 local elections.

 

Whether one agrees with them or not, it is utterly unacceptable for citizens who are seeking to exercise their constitutional rights in a peaceful manner, to be told in writing by a Minister who belongs to one of the three parties that they are criminals, and then to be sent to jail. The Chairman and the two Deputy Chairman of Qaran association, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose, Mr Mohamed Hashi and Mr Jamal Aideed, have been sent to Mandhera Jail on 28/7/2007, and will, no doubt, feel that they have now become Somaliland's first political prisoners.

 

The Somaliland Forum:

 

condemns unreservedly the imprisonment of the three citizens and asks that they should be released immediately and without any conditions;

warns that, as there are no offences set under the Political parties Registration Law (Law No: 14 of 2000), any attempts to try these citizens for "offences against the state" under the old Penal Code will be unacceptable;

asks that the permanent committees of both Houses of Parliament hold joint hearings (by inviting representations from Qaran and the other associations, the political parties and civil groups) about the pros and cons of appointing a new political parties registration committee under Article 2 of Law No: 14 of 2000 and report jointly to both Houses within 4 weeks;

believes that it is a basic tenet of democracy that limitations of the participation in elections must, in principle, be kept to the minimum necessary in a democratic society and confining all elections, for ever , to be contested only by the current three parties is contrary to democracy and human rights;

calls on the Somaliland Government to refrain from imposing any restrictions on citizens‘ rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression ; and to avoid labelling anyone who criticises it as harbouring anti-Somaliland tendencies;

exhorts all citizens, and in particular those who are planning to form new associations, to continue safeguarding the peace and public order ;

asks the Government to take immediate steps to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, and for the president to sign the Organisation of the Judiciary Bill which has been stuck between the two Houses and the President for the last 3 years; and

encourages the two Houses and the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that the forthcoming elections are held on time.

 

 

SOMALILAND FORUM

 

The Somaliland Forum is a non-partisan independent think-tank that brings together Somaliland citizens in the Diaspora, who supports the sovereign, democratic and independent Somaliland. The Forum helps Somaliland Communities and friends around the globe to work together and contribute to the socio-economic and political development of the Republic of Somaliland.

[AYOUB]

Whether one agrees with them or not, it is utterly unacceptable for citizens who are seeking to exercise their constitutional rights in a peaceful manner, to be told in writing by a Minister who belongs to one of the three parties that they are criminals, and then to be sent to jail. The Chairman and the two Deputy Chairman of Qaran association, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose, Mr Mohamed Hashi and Mr Jamal Aideed, have been sent to Mandhera Jail on 28/7/2007, and will, no doubt, feel that they have now become Somaliland's first political prisoners.

Riyaale and his party have no option but back down on this. How many people are they prepared to jail for political reasons? The people of Somaliland have so far tolerated their rule because they know they'll get a chance to express their feelings in the up-coming elections. Riyaale, Udub and their supporters know Qaran party will erode their support so much to ensure a Kulmiye victory. If the people start feeling that the Riyaale's administration is denying them the peaceful means of removing them from power, then trouble is around the corner.

 

(Suldaan Sulub Nuur War-same iyo Maxamed Cabdi Arabay)

 

 

hadhwanaag 2007-07-30 (Hadhwanaagnews) Hargeysa(HWN):- Odayaasha Beesha Galbeedka Hargeysa Suldaan Sulub Nuur War-same oo ka mid Salaadiinta Beesha Galbeedka Hargeysa iyo Maxamed Cabdi Arabay oo ka mid ah odayaasha beeshaasi ayaa canbaareeyey xadhiga hogaamiyaasha Urur Siyaasadeedka Qaran, isla markaana ku-la taliyey Xukuumada Rayaale inay xoriyadoodi si degdega ugu soo celiso.

Waxay oyaashu sidaa ku sheegeen shirjaraa’id oo ay Geed hoostii ku qabteen Maanta, kadib markii ay Huteel Xaraf ay loo diiday inay ku qabsadaan.

 

 

Maxamed Cabdi Arabay oo ka mid ah odyaasha reer Hargeysa ayaa waxa uu sheegay inay ka hadlayaan Xadhiga Masuuliyiinta Urur Siyaasadeedka Qaran, isla markana waxa uu ku tilmaamay mid Cadaalad daro ah

“Waxaanu ka hadlaynaa Sadexdan Nin ee xidhan, horta dadku birmo-geydo ayuu leeyahay ninbaa Gabyey oo waxa uu yidhi “Dadku birmo-geydiyo lama guhaashaan ayuu leeyahay, sadexdan nin [Dr. Gaboose, Maxamed Xaashi iyo Jamaal Caydiid] ee mujaahidiinta ee soo halgamay ee maanta midhahoodii la daaqayo ee Cadaalad darada lagu xidhay ayaanu ka soo hor-jeednaa Xadhigoodaas”

 

“Inkasta oo aanu ina Rayaale dhag u dhigayn wixii la yidhaahdo ilaa sidii Af-weyne ka lugeeyo, laakin waxaanu leenahay Sadexdaa nin ha loo soo celiyo xoriyadoodii haddii aanu nahay odayaashi” ayuu yidhi Maxamed Cabdi Arabay.

 

Maxamed Arabay waxa uu ku dooday haddii muwaadiniinta reer Somaliland si sharci-darro ah la iskaga xidh-xidho inay nabadgelyada wax yeeli karto.

“Halka ay reerka ************ ka yidhaahdeen haddaanu nahay reerka ************ anagu waxaanu leenahay hadaynu nahay reer ***** haddii maalin-walba rag laynaga xidh-xidho hadhowto nabadgelyadu way Xumaandoontaa oo gacanteena ayey ka bixi-doonta oo dhibaato ayey inoo geysandoontaa”

ayuu yidhi.

“Ina Rayaale iyo Dawladiisu waxay inagu wadaan inay mar-danbe dhibaato badan inoo geysato” ayuu yidhi Arabey.

 

Md. Maxamed Arabay oo la hadlayey Shacbiga reer Somaliland waxa uu sheegay inay ka gar-naqaan xadhiga Masuuliyiinta Urur Siyaasadeedka qaran oo ay wax ka sheegaan, isaga oo arrintaa ka hadlayana waxa uu yidhi.

“Shicibka Waxaan leeyahay waa inaad markhaatiga furtaan cidda gar-daran iyo cidda garta leh, -Af-weyna markii Xamar laga saaray raggi la talin-jiray ee uu kow ka ahaa Cabdiraxmaan Budhuq-budhuq ayaa waxa uu yidhi dadka ayaa xun Af-weyne ayaa dhir-baaxay waxa uu yidhi “dadku inuu Xumaa waan ogaayee idinka ayaa igu hayey beri hore ayaan isaga tagi lahaa”, hadaba waxaan leeyahay meel-walba Cabdirax-maan Budhuq-budhuq uu jiraa, hadaba waxa jira kuwo dadka madaxda ah haday toosan yihiin qaloociya, haday qaloocan yihiina sii qaloociya”

 

“Hadaba la-taliyaasha la talinaayow Madaxweyne Rayaalow waxaan idin leeyahay taariikhdu way is qoreysa oo way idin sheegi, raggaasi maamaha rag la xidho oo waa rag mudakara oo ragg in badan duurka ku jiray oo ku dhalmo daayey, oo ku aduunyo daayey waa rag in-jirtu ku gashay oo wixii ay keeneena waa taa maanta la hadhsanayo Kuwii shalayto la dagaalamayey ay iyagii xidh-xidhayaan Waa nasiib-darro” ayuu yidhi Arebay isla markaana waxa uu nasiibdaro ku tilmaamay ragii wixii ay u soo dagaalamayeen in iyagana lagu xidh-xidho

 

Arabay waxa uu Xukuummada Madaxweyne Rayaale ku eedeyey inaanay imika uunn Cadaalad darada bilaabin ee ay hore u bilowday, waxaanu yidhi

“Dawlada Ina Rayaale maanta oo kaliya may bilaabin Cadaalad darrada, waxay bilowday markii Baarlamaankii xorta ahaa ee la soo doortay iyo Guurtidii ay isku dirtay, shicibkuna uu taagan yahay ee uu leeyahay nabad-gelyada ha la ilaaliyo, markii labaadna waxay ahayd markii shaqadii ay heshay Xaaska Mujaahidka Axmed Siilaanyo [Aamina Waris] ay u diideen ee ay dadkuna arrintaa ka hadli-waayeen, markaana uu ku sii dhiiraday, Markii Gudoomiyaha Wargeyska Haatuf Yuusuf Cabdi Gaboobe iyo labadii nin ee kale [Tafatiraha Haatuf Cali Cabdi Diini iyo Maxamed Cumar] ay xaqdarada ku xidhay way ka sii dartay ma dhameyn karo cadaalad darrada ay sameynayso”

 

Isaga oo hadalkiisa sii watana waxa uu intaa raaciyey ooo uu yidhi.

“Maantana waxay xidhay Sadex Mujaahid[Dr. Gaboose, Maxamwed Xaashi iyo jamaal Caydiid] oo wadanka qiimo ku leh oo xalaal ah”

 

“Hadaba waxaan leeyahay ina Rayaalow adeer waa inaad naga tagtaa dhac ! weli malaha dhac laguma odhan hadaba aniga [Maxamed Arabay] ayaa ku yidhi naga dhac waxba noomaad dhiibanin waanu kugu khatamanay oo naga tag ilaahayna deg deg ha ku rido waayo imika ayaanu yag-leel danbe ku jirnaa”

 

Suldaan Sacad Muuse Sulub Nuur War-same oo isna halkaasi ka hadlay ayaa waxa uu sheegay in laga duceysto dawlada xun, isla markaana waxa uu carabka ku dhuftay in halgan dheer la soo maray.

“Waxaan leeyahay Madaxda imika Dawlada haysaa talaabooyinka ay qaadayso ha ka joogto, ninku haddu denbi galo dawgu waxa uu yahay inta aan meel kale loo kaxayn oo aan la af-duubin halkan gartiisa lagu qaado oo la eego inuu danbiile yahay iyo inaanu danbiile ahayn” ayuu yidhi Suldaanka Sacad Muuse Suldaan Sulub Nuur Warsame.

 

isaga oo hadalkiisa sii watana waxa uu intaa raaciyey oo uu yidhi:

"Anigu waxaan leeyahay sida ha la bedelo, haddii aanay dawladu sidaa bedelin si xun oo ka weyn ayaa dhici."

 

Mustafe Abdi Maxamed [Mustafe-Janaale]

Reporter Hadhwanaagnews.com/Hargeysa

E-mail,

janaale94@yahoo.com

  

[Jacaylbaro]

to be told in writing by a Minister who belongs to one of the three parties that they are criminals, and then to be sent to jail.

They were arrested by the court not by the minister ,,,,,, the minister was warning them only the other day.

[AYOUB]

^^ Get real and don't be so naïve, will yaa? The ministers have followed up on their threats and it will be one of their costliest mistakes. I remember you being in denial mode too when the Haatuf journalists were jailed.

[Jacaylbaro]

People are equal in front of the law ...... no one is bigger than the constitution say Gaboose, Haatuf and even Rayaale

 

 

We not living in Qaaxo ,,,, there is a government and system to be followed

[AYOUB]

^^ Adeer this administration thinks it's above the law. The Haatuf journalists were jailed WITHOUT TRIAL because they questioned Riyaale and his family's financial dealings. Is that not correct? Was Muj. Xashi not sacked from his ministerial post for questioning this administration's financial dealing and the annual budget? If anyone thinks they are above the law then it is Riyaale, Udub and its apparatus. I'll say it again; the people this administration keeps trying to intimidate are not the "enemy of Somaliland " but individuals who've been loyal and with best interest of the people. Enough is enough. We've reached the stage where the President and his party are reminded that power was handed to them by the people.

[Jacaylbaro]

The government is here to implement the law and manage the people ..... Of course it is an African government so never expect 100% from them, they have their mistakes but HAATUF was wrong and again QARAN is wrong regardless of who and who ......... I admired M. Hashi until he did this action and everybody knows Gaboose's stance and actions ........

 

Now they will be there until the court finishes its hearing then they will be either charged or released ........... that is the system and it is the same thing they would do if they are the government .........

 

I would ask the government to arrest some other ppl if they listen to me ......... Dhegoweyne is one them ...........

[AYOUB]

^ Arrest everybody, right? If you think these arrests were wrong , why the hell do you support them? This government knows it's unpopular and that's why they're resorting to this kind of behaviour.

Now they will be there until the court finishes its hearing then they will be either charged or released ........... that is the system and it is the same thing they would do if they are the government .........

Adeer this administration keeps finding people "guilty till proven innocent". THAT IS NOT THE SYSTEM !!! Cabdi Gaboobe, Maxamed Gaboose, Maxamed Xashi and Jamaal Caydiid are people who worked hard to get where we're. They're behind the struggle for justice and spirit of foreignness that exists in Somaliland. The government is important but as important are the opposition, media, human groups , religious/traditional leaders etc.. How many of these have been victimised by this administration? This administration is dragging us back to the old days of political detentions and it's time to stop it. The least you can do is call for end to this kind of behaviour and demand the immediate release of the Qaran leadership. I'll leave you with the wise words of Mr Arabay:

“Hadaba la-taliyaasha la talinaayow Madaxweyne Rayaalow waxaan idin leeyahay taariikhdu way is qoreysa oo way idin sheegi, raggaasi maamaha rag la xidho oo waa rag mudakara oo ragg in badan duurka ku jiray oo ku dhalmo daayey, oo ku aduunyo daayey waa rag in-jirtu ku gashay oo wixii ay keeneena waa taa maanta la hadhsanayo Kuwii shalayto la dagaalamayey ay iyagii xidh-xidhayaan Waa nasiib-darro

[NGONGE]

^^^ You can calm down now. These men have done their job and, as a Kulmiye (or even UCID) supporter their fate should not worry you anymore. Their fans and supporters are never going to vote for UDUB now.

 

At any rate, this little drama seems to have stolen the headlines from the events in Mogadishu for now.

 

Ps

Did you read Goth's recent editorial regarding this issue? The poor man doesn't know if he's coming or going. Finally, and in order of appearing impartial, he plumped for praising the UCID leader's position.

 

Pps

Is The Somaliland Forum really a non-partisan group?

[AYOUB]

Well, it's matter of opinion but i'm on SF side on this one against the likes of Riyaale Waraabe, Goth and JB. Don't know about you. If find SF to be a voice of reason in most cases.

 

As for Qaran, most people believe it was created to split "anti-Kulmiye" votes. So it's not clear whether they've done their job yet, is it?

[Xargaga]

I believe Qaran was to win Mr.Ayoub.Qaran was not created like UCID when Cigaal succeded in Stoping SAHAN. Which should have won. I beleive Qaran Would have won the Elections and still would win given the chance. With Kulmiye Unless they come up with changes they will never beat the cunning UDUB Machinery.

 

My Advice To kulmiye, is Let Old Man Siilanyo rest and serve as a respected Founding Father of Somaliland while Some new faces serve the Nation.

[Jacaylbaro]

Anayhow, waa la is fahmayaa sow maaha ..... let the games begin marka.