Hargeisa (SL Times): In a series of politically sensitive blunders committed in the last few days by Somaliland's Minister of Interior, Ismail Adam Osman, the government-controlled UDUB party has reportedly witnessed large scale desertions by its supporters in the northern sections of Hargeisa city which are considered the most densely populated residential areas in the capital.
Residents have told the Somaliland Times that the arrest on Thursday of 3 traditional elders who live in the area has caused a mass defection of supporters from UDUB in the 26 June and Koodbuur neighborhoods. The elders were picked up by the police in the morning but were released later in the evening.
Residents have blamed the Interior Minister for giving the order of arresting the 3 elders. The Minister has however denied involvement saying it was a police action apparently taken to forestall plans by the elders to disturb public order.
The 3 elders had clashed with the Minister of Interior a few days earlier in connection with a government policy on demarcation of regional administrative authorities in the northwestern coastal areas of Somaliland. The elders have accused the government of incorporating constituencies that traditionally belonged to the Hargeisa region into the Awdal region. They said the coastal localities of Eil-Sheikh and Abdi Geedi have been deliberately annexed to Borama in order to deprive Hargeisa of an access to the coast. In a statement to the press, more than 20 elders and Aqils have called on President Rayale "to act as president of the country and not the governor of Awdal."
Meanwhile, the newly elected Municipal council of Hargeisa has accused the Minister of Interior of embarking on a systematic interference in the affairs of the local government.
"The Minister is unable to come to terms yet with the fact that the city has elected its council and that he has no authority over here anymore," said Jama Shabeel, a council member and spokesperson, on Thursday.
The council stressed that they will not allow the incorporation of Hargeisa constituencies into other districts.
"We understand that a number of Hargeisa Aqils have been arrested and we are going to investigate this matter very closely as the detainees belong to our constituency," the spokesman said.
It was not known yet why the government chose to antagonize leaders and inhabitants of Hargeisa city when presidential elections are only days away. But according to one rumor that has been in circulation since Wednesday, the government might have wanted to create enough tension in the capital and the coast as reasons for postponing the elections.
Home | Contact us | Links | Archives