Hargeysa, August 3, 2007 (SL Times) - Somaliland’s Envoy For Recognition, Mr Omar Elmi Dihod , held a press conference last Tuesday in which he condemned the arrest of Qaran party leaders (Chairman Mohamed Abdi Gabose, Frist Deputy Mohamed Hashi Elmi, and Second Deputy Jamal Aidid).

Describing the arrest, Mr Dihod said, "It seems like the dictatorial days of Siyad Barre."

The envoy called on the Somaliland government to release the politicians immediately, since they didn't break the law. "I believe that political arrests are not good for Somaliland, because Somalilanders fought against this kind of detention. For example, Mohamed Hashi Elmi is one of the co-founders of SNM, and he does not deserve to be arrested, unless he commits a serious and proven crime. He should not be arrested for engaging in normal political activities.”

Mr Dihod emphasized that Somaliland is “looking for recognition and this arrest will damage our chances for getting it.”

Omar Elmi Dihod was one of the SNM Co-founders in 1982, in London.

Source: Somaliland Times