Somaliland’s Grand Sultan warns against detention of Faysal Ali Warabe

Hargeisa (Somaliland.com) – The Grand Sultan of Somaliland clans warned against the rumored plans for the detention of the Faisal Ali Warabe, the leader of the Opposition Party, UCID.

Sultan Mohamed Sultan Abdiqadir said president Muse Bihi should not harass the men he beat in the last presidential election. He said it was inconceivable that a president jails another president.

The person who ran against you for president is equivalent to a president. We have never seen a president arresting other presidents. It has never happend in Somaliland’s history. Former president didn’t arrest their opposition leaders.

The sultan was referring to a rumored lawsuit brought by the family of President Bihi against the leader of UCID party. The interior secretary of UCID party, Mohamud Ali Saleban Ramah, is in detention for a similar case brought by the speaker of the House of Representatives. Although the speaker had dropped the charges, Mr. Ramah is in custody for ten days.

In this statement, Sultan Mohamed emphasized the opposition leaders’ right to criticize the government. He also called for the release of detained opposition official Mohamud Ali Saleban Ramah.

I would call for the release of the man since his accusor had dropped his charges. The government should let him go and give him back his liberty.

The leader of the opposition party UCID is outside the country right now. When asked about the lawsuit against him, Faisal Ali Warabe said he not officially informed about the case. 

Last year, the government of President Muse Bihi arrested eighty-nine people for expressing their views according to the independent Human Rights Center.

Abdillahi Hassan