By Abdirahman Ahmed Ali, London, UK

Free Media and Freedom of Expression creates a platform for the open society and exploration of ideas and issues of social importance through live events, workshops and online interactions between educated and major thinkers of a nation, which will lead to a greater understanding or out roles in national obligations. This concept is not more applicable in Somaliland, a nation of our dream to have it free and fair, listening the voice of true.   Free Media is motto of democratic, modern and developed nations, which we are progressing to join their club.

Freedom of speech is the concept of the inherent human right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment by the authorities or powerful side. The right is enshrined in the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights and laws of most nations. In some nations with relatively authoritarian forms of government, overt government censorship has been claimed to occur in a different form and there are different approaches to issues such as hate speech or talking about First Lady slicing business as that of Somaliland. The first formal speech request for freedom of speech in recorded history was made by Sir Thomas More in front of the English Parliament and King Henry VIII on April 18, 1523.

President Rayale forcibly reacted against free-thinking Haatuf Chief-in-Editor Yusuf Gabobe over corruption accusations in Presidential Palace, overlooking constitution and judiciary system in the country. Editor, Gabobe allegedly criticized First Lady on corruption bases, which can be right or wrong. As citizen and First Lady of Somaliland, She has right to hire a lawyer and sue him in civil court, but its unfortunate the government and UDUB office-boys used State Police against the journalist. UDUB lapdogs jailed the journalist, in-order to win cabinet posts. Soon or later they will be caught accountable for their wrongdoing.

Silence of opposition parties, parliament and house of elders (Guurti), in addition to other government and social organizations is another sign of Rayale’s dominance over the country. Citizens shouldn’t remain quiet on human rights violations taking place in the country. If we continue hushed today then tomorrow will be your term in anguishing. Particularly, Somaliland Journalist Organization and free-thinkers in Somaliland should rise up their voice of freedom against any human rights and constitution ignore.

President Rayale and his UDUB devotees broke Somaliland Constitution that prohibits arresting a citizen more than 3 days without court verdict, instead transferred him to high security prison with killers and murders without due process. Gabobe is victim of free expression, which the constitution grants to every citizen. In other meaning, it is warning letter to other journalists, not to talk about sensitive points especially the Presidential Palace or follow Haatuf Chief, Gabobe destiny.   The question remains, will Gabobe remain prisoner of his words????????? UDUB led government had culture of terrorizing journalists including continues arrests of Jamhuuriya editor.

Gabobe boldly highlighted corruption in the Somaliland White House, protecting Somaliland interest and enforcing his rights as journalist, besides courageous headlines rooting out corruption regardless of whom and where! The problem of Gabobe is that “he touched the untouchables” and thought Somaliland Constitution article “No Body above the law” will work, but First Lady and Rayale’s so called family dignity overpowered the constitution and judiciary system, because of he (Rayale) is the man of last word in Somaliland.

Such barbaric and awful act humiliated Somaliland democracy and freedom of expression between international communities, who believed that Somaliland is free and modern nation and no body can turn the law into his own. This is exact image of Rayale and his UDUB cohorts.   International Journalist Federation (IJF) criticized the arrest of journalists particularly holding him without court decree besides many international organizations that protects journalism around globe. Somaliland is free and liberal country and will not tolerate with anybody who tries to steal this long-term waited right. In addition, Somalilanders fought this freedom for more than a decade and will not give up easily.

Somaliland Journalists family should unite against such fanatics in Somaliland Presidential Palace, in order to save the country and freedom of expression. Somalilanders did not accept dictatorship and torture of Mohammed Siyad Bare and for sure will not accept Rayale’s one. Somaliland came after long struggle of bloodshed against Siyad Bare and will not allow to be taken away by anybody else. President Rayale should respect democracy and freedom that Somalilanders voted.

Gabobe, he was one of those freedom fighters who spend their most valuable times liberating Somaliland from Siyad Bare dictatorship. He joined SNM movement in mid 1980’s heading from Yemen where he lived as young boy and then as teenager. Gabobe, who was not fluent in Somali language could not listen or see from distance killing and genocide against Somalilander like many other did. He joined SNM and combated to free Somaliland, when his dreams came true of freeing Somaliland, he restarted his old hobby of writing the news freely. But unlucky comes when a man liberated his country against dictatorship, cannot mount his voice of freedom against corruption.

Citizens of Somaliland especially those fought for Somaliland independence deserve fair trail and justice. Today, thousands of those who lost parts of their body to free Somaliland from Bare suffer in Somaliland without help from government or even people of Somaliland. They have been forgotten completely and even some don’t respect them, considering them as thieves. My question, Is this pay back cheque to these noble men and women? And how long will Rayale administration continue neglecting them? Will Somaliland need SNM fighters again to defend the country against emerging danger from Abdullah-Yey? How SNM Mujahedin will feel after government and people who neglected them, ask them   again to fight against Abdullah-Yey to save Somaliland?    All these questions need answers and time will, if we don’t now.

Some readers may think, I am anti-government and UDUB, but reality is freedom and implementation of constitution is my personal motto to promote democracy, regardless of personal interest. Every citizen should demand fair treatment and no body should be hold hand folded at expenses of other person, like that of Gabobe. NO BODY IS ABOVE THE LAW is driving tool of every noble citizen.

Allah bless Somaliland………………………………… we all stand united

E-mail: an.ahmed@somaliland.net