Somaliland Police arrest famous traditional elder

Somaliland police have last night arrested one of the harshest traditional elders , a critic of President Muse Bihi, Sultan Ahmed Osman Addo Gude, in Hargeisa. Security forces have not yet provided details on his arrests, but it is widely believed it relates to the current political situation in Somaliland.

The Sultan’s wife who was with him when he was arrested said, the Policemen made the arrest while they were heading to their residential house and then a vehicle full of soldiers suddenly blocked their road. The wife claimed her husband was brutally tortured by the policemen.

Sultan Addo Gude has been a critic of Bihi’s administration in recent years. He appeared on TV cameras last week condemning the government for killing of “Peaceful” demonstrators in major towns of Somaliland.

In Somali tradition, clan leaders have the highest regard in the community and do not like administrations to hesitate their arrest, especially during this strained political situation.