Current Government Has Abused the Free Press in Somaliland
Earlier this year, the Hubal newspaper was attacked. Those who attacked were the Somaliland police officers. However, one of those police officers has been in jail for a long period of time and was finally released yesterday. The question is why the government has been keeping him in jail for that period of time? Why has the government brought justice for those who committed the crime and not for the officer that the government released yesterday? Why has the government not brought justice for the attackers of the newspaper editors? Who is really behind this act? Is this for personal reason or as the rumors and leaks are saying the presidential palace behind it? It needs more clarification. If it does not involve what happened to Hubaal Newspaper the government must have prove. Style of mafia system has been going around since the Siilayno government took the power of the country. It happened more than three times, the first one was the assassination attempted at the Hubaal newspaper editor Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Jama. Second, was the member of parliament Mr. Mahamed Farah Qabile and third one was the attempted killing of Mujahid Mohamed Kahn Ahmed.
The first accusated murder was unconditional released yesterday but we asked the government the reason behind released for this man. It was clearly captured on red hand. On the other hand, the other two attempted murder will be possible for their releasing as soon as possible. Our neighbor country has been facing this phenomenon and we are very sorry for them, but today it is our courtyard. Do we have tolerated this kind of violation? Where is the rule of law that granted our constitution? These questions need to be answered.
When I read the Somaliland newspapers and website, Hubaal attackers were freed. I really wondered and I could not believe my eyes. As they told me, the reliable resources the Hubaal editor has organized the legal demonstration for cause of released the attacker. The Ministry of the Interior has given the authorization to conduct the peaceful demonstration. The peaceful protest meant to shed a light on the declination of the rule of the law. At the same time, how did the current government fail to accomplish the peace and law of order? Think about what would happen if everybody takes his gun and fulfill his desires to his hand. Do you think Somaliland would survive? When president Reyal rules the country, this would not happen. We did not hear or see the police officer that attacked those who it was suppose be to protect.
The Somaliland media has the right to express their views whether the current government likes or not. If the press media conducts or misleads the people or publishes false information, why did the government expose the rules that controlled their behavior? It is not a solution to send the hit man or put those who committed the violations in prison. Somaliland does not accept this kind of violation. Every citizen has rights to express his/her views without intimidation.
By: Osman Awad
Allah bless Somaliland