Somali Government condemn the excessive force meted on civilians and media outlet by Somaliland forces

The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly condemned the actions taken by Somaliland against some of the people who opposed the maritime agreement that Somaliland President Muse Bihi recently signed in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

In a press release from the Ministry of Information of Somalia, it was said that the government of Somalia condemns attempts made by Somaliland to silence media and people living in the northern regions.

“The Federal Government of Somalia is not happy by the deviant actions of the Somaliland administration trying to silence the media and the people of the northern regions of the country who are protesting against the illegal agreement that violates the sovereignty and dignity of the Somali people signed between Somaliland Region and the Ethiopian government,” read parts of the statement.

The reports from the Somalia government also indicated that Somaliland’s suppression of journalists and people in those areas who opposed the illegal agreement between Muse Bihi and Abiy Ahmed is a second violation.

“Targeting a reporter and a media outlet that is reporting the news and facts of Somaliland situation by Somaliland security forces is unfortunate and indicates the level of human rights violations and law enforcement. The feeling of patriotism and love for the country of the people of the northern regions cannot be suppressed by force, nor can it be silenced, and it strengthens and increases the people’s level of patriotism and love towards their country” said the press release issued by the Ministry of Information of Somalia.

Somaliland’s security agencies have been warned to implement the illegal agreement that Somaliland entered with Ethiopia, which has been described as potentially dangerous.

“We are calling on the security agencies of the Somaliland administration to refrain from supporting and implementing the illegal agreement and the desire of Ethiopia to take land and sea from Somaliland which is a threat to the future and dignity of the people living in the northern regions and generally to the Somali people” was said in the press release of the Ministry of Information of Somalia.

The deal under which Somaliland has agreed to lease a Red Sea naval port to Ethiopia has sparked anger in Somalia with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud clearly stating that Somalia will not stand idly by and watch it’s sovereignty being compromised.

Mustaqbal