“You cannot lobby Washington for Somaliland to be recognized as a democratic country while suppressing fundamental freedoms in Hargeisa”
Hargeisa (SLpost)- A Somaliland lawmaker has questioned the government’s campaign for international recognition, saying its diplomatic efforts in Washington could be undermined by restrictions on civil and political freedoms at home.
Dr. Issa Keyd Mahmoud, a member of Somaliland’s House of Representatives and former foreign minister, made the comments as President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) leads a delegation in Washington seeking stronger ties with the United States and support for Somaliland’s recognition bid.
“You cannot lobby Washington for Somaliland to be recognized as a democratic country while suppressing fundamental freedoms in Hargeisa,” Keyd said.
Keyd said Somaliland’s diplomatic standing depended on demonstrating respect for the constitution, political stability, judicial independence and civil liberties.
He also called for the immediate and unconditional release of poet Jiheeye and urged the government to respect political rights in the Hawd and Maroodi Jeex regions.
The comments come amid the detention of poet Jiheeye and journalist Abdiqani Baylood, who have been held at Hargeisa Central Prison for nearly 10 days.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the arrest of Baylood and called for his immediate and unconditional release, expressing concern over the detention of the journalist following his interview with poet Jiheeye.
Jiheeye was reportedly detained after an interview with journalist Baylood in which he discussed a dispute over land near President Irro’s residence in Hargeisa. He alleged that the president had used force to take the property and not received the compensation for his land.
The case has drawn attention to freedom of expression and political rights in Somaliland as the government seeks to strengthen its international diplomatic position.
Keyd’s intervention puts Somaliland’s domestic record of civil liberties and freedom of expression directly at the center of its international recognition campaign, raising questions over whether its diplomatic message in Washington is consistent with political developments at home.
Somaliland has long cited its democratic institutions, elections and relative political stability as central elements of its case for international recognition.
Reporting by Somalilandpost News
