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Hargeisa, Feb 21, 2004 (SL Times) – An uprising staged by Hargeisa’s
school children in Feb. 20th, 1982 protesting the jailing of
members of the UFFO group, was observed yesterday in Somaliland’s
capital, Hargeisa.
UFFO was founded in 1981 as a self-help group with the aim of
improving community services. Most of the founders were arrested by
the then repressive regime of Somalia.
At least 2 school children were killed when government forces of the late
dictator, Mohamed Siyad Barre, opened fire on demonstrating students
protesting the arrests in Feb 20th, 1982.
Yesterday’s commemoration of the historic occasion started with wreath
laying at the Feb 20th memorial, located within few meters from the
main entrance gate of Hargeisa regional court where members of the
UFFO group were tried and given life sentences. They were freed in
1989 as the SNM forces drove Siyad Barre’s troops from more than two thirds
of Somaliland's territory.
The celebrants marched from the memorial to Khayria square where
speeches marking the occasion were made by representatives of the UFFO
group, SONYO, a national Youth umbrella organization, the government
and opposition parties.
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