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“Four Somaliland citizens were
pulled out of their vehicles and executed point blank.
The shockwaves from this cold-blooded murder were heard throughout
Somaliland and beyond. Somali Landers could not believe that this kind
of evil still exists within them. This is not the first time in recent
history that inter-clan blood-letting takes place between Somaliland
clans. But at least the last time it happened, it was in the Haud region
of Ethiopia though the involved clans had Somaliland affiliation. This
time it took place not too far from Somaliland’s capital, Hargeysa.
Furthermore, it was not a situation where two groups were shooting at
each other and some people died. Rather, it was an execution, pure and
simple. So both the proximity to the capital and the execution style of
the murder gives not just the Somaliland government but the Somaliland
state as a whole a vital interest in bringing the culprits to justice.
Somaliland government has wisely tried to stay away from the dispute
between the two lineages so that it would not be accused of taking
sides, and gave the disputants enough time and space to resolve the
problem through traditional methods. But that approach has failed,
especially when one of the two sides refused the decision of the
arbitration committee. Now with thuggery and murder rearing its ugly
head, Somaliland government has no option but to intervene. It has
already started by declaring the Ceelbardaale area a military zone and
sent troops there. This is a good first step, but it must be followed by
other steps that make it clear to all and sundry that no one is above
the law.
Somaliland’s civic groups, religious leaders and intellectuals must also
do their part in ensuring that peace and stability are maintained as the
country heads into the presidential election.
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