Kulmiye Government and the Road to Damnation
By: Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Sabeyse
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, accords certain inalienable rights and freedoms; and whereas governments are prohibited to infringe on any of these rights and freedoms under whatsoever pretense; and contrary to the spirit and letter of all international conventions, the duly elected government of Somaliland and the ruling party are on a rampage to destroy all vestiges of demo cratic norms in the country.
Likewise, the freedoms guaranteed under our national Constitution are not subject to the whims of the current government. Any violations should be condemned in the strongest possible terms without fear of intimidation or retribution. The letter of our Constitution is the fabric that holds our society together and any desecration on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizen shall not be tolerated under any circumstance.
By resorting to irrational and draconian measures to muzzle and stifle all forms of dissent, the current government in Somaliland has lost the moral compass to lead its citizens. The symptoms of the incubating disease, if not counterbalanced at its onset, will metamorphose into an incura ble affliction. We can not afford to let this government proceed any further on this self destruc tive highway. If the government fails to abide by the rule of law, then the masses will one day rise up and replace this government.
The twenty-first century belongs to the masses; and if our government does not heed the voice of the opposition parties, make no mistake, the alternative will be THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE. That does not bode well for the current incumbent and his coattails!
Let me highlight some of the incidents of the past two months:-
On December 10, 2013 Units of the RRU ( An anti-terrorist police outfit) and regiments of Somali land Army were garrisoned around the Headquarters of the Welfare and Justice Party (UCID) to disburse a peaceful demonstration commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In accordance with the Constitution, the Welfare and Justice Party had applied permission for a peaceful gathering. However, members of the party leadership were roughed, rounded and put behind bars. The police destroyed the Office equipment and other valuable assets.
On December 4, 2013 the Presidential candidate of the Justice and Welfare Party, Mr. Jamal Ali Hussein and an accompanying delegation were stopped at Abudla- a police check point between the Capital and Gabiley. The freedom of movement is a fundamental human right. Upon further in vestigation of the issue, it has become apparent that the Presidential palace had issue instructi ons that the opposition political parties should obtain special travel permits to all major towns outside the capital!
On November 30, 2013 a police officer who participated in a failed assassination attempt on the Editor of Hubaal News paper was released from custody. The attempted murder took place on April 24, 2013. The prosecution made no further investigation of this case.
On November 25, 2013 the chairman of the Welfare and Justice Party, Mr. Faisal Ali Hussein was due to arrive at Egal International Airport at Hargeisa. The welcoming delegation headed by Pre sidential Candidate of the party, Mr. Jamal Ali Hussein,were barred from entering the airport on instructions from the Presidential Palace.
On October 26, 2013 the RRU raided the offices of an Orphanage headed by Ms. Lul Hassan Mat an. Ms. Matan was thrown into prison and kept incommunicado without proper arrest warrant or the necessary due process of the law. Ms. Lul was the chairperson of this orphanage long before the current government came to power.
On October 21, 2013 Mr. Mohamed Farah Qabile, a member of Somaliland House of Representati ves, survived an assassination attempt. As usual, this ugly episode has all the familiar hallmarks on it. The crime ended at the door step of the deputy Minister of Interior.
I would like to remind the government of Somaliland that the road to damnation is littered with human misery. The difference of opinion and the diversity of views are essence of a vibrant dem ocratic process; the Gulag is not a substitute for a healthy national dialogue.
In conclusion, we call upon all International Human Rights Organisations to follow up these blata nt violations with the government of Somaliland.
Sincerely,
Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Sabeyse
Chairman, Canada Branch
Welfare and Justice Party