|
Somaliland
American Council (SAC) is dismayed by and condemning the actions of
President Dahir Rayale's government that resulted for the death of
innocent people who were exercising their right to demonstrate SAC also
condemns Rayale government for closing down the people's house (the
parliament). There are three reported deaths of innocent people today
and dozens of injured people. The police fired live bullets on unarmed
citizens who were demonstrating in front of the Somaliland parliament to
show their support to the members and the leadership of the parliament.
This is a direct violation of the Somaliland constitution, international
human rights, and the young democratic process in Somaliland. The
government action is precipitated when the parliament debated a motion
to impeach President Rayale for failing to hold elections in Somaliland.
The Somaliland government has been in office for 7 years and failed to
hold elections so far; the government was elected to office for 5 years,
at the end of its term in office, President Rayale failed to hold
elections, then members of Guurti have extended the term of the
government for 12 months once and 6 months the second time to hold
elections; the election has not taken place yet, and the second 6months
extension will expire at the end of October 2009. The reports from
Somaliland last week indicated that President Rayale is planning to sent
a 3rd request for extension to the Lower House of Guurti very soon.
The people are exercising their right to protest by demonstrating
against the actions of the government to close down the parliament and
its failure to hold the elections after being in office for 7 years. SAC
calls on the Somaliland government to exercise restraint and respect the
rights of its people. SAC calls on the people to strongly defend their
rights peacefully and do not accept the dictatorial actions of the
Rayale government. The people has suffered tremendously and paid dearly
with over 100,000 lives lost (under Siyad Barre’s regime) to gain these
rights and they are prepared to die to protect their rights again.
The Somaliland parliament is doing the right thing to pressure the
government to hold elections immediately and to give the people the
right to choose their leaders. SAC calls on the members of Guurti to do
the same; by standing with the people and protecting democracy in
Somaliland. SAC calls on the “Guurti” to refuse to give 3rd extension to
President Rayale – after his letter of request for 3rd extension is
received in few weeks. Rayale’s government has indeed damaged the
hard-won reputation of Somaliland and its people. SAC calls on Rayale to
resign and give the people the right to elect their president.
Rashid Nur
Somaliland American Council
|
|
