Somalia: Somaliland urged to release poet jailed for 'Somali Unity' 

HARGEISA, Somaliland - The breakaway northern region of Somaliland has been urged to immediately release Naima Ahmed Ibrahim Qorane jailed in Hargeisa for campaigning 'Somali Unity', Garowe online reports.

Qorane, a poet hailing from Somaliland has been arrested by the security forces at the Egal International Airport in Hargeisa on 27th January while traveling to Mogadishu, the Somali capital after visiting her ailing father.

The detained poet and activist has been based in Mogadishu for recent years as she was a vocal campaigner for “the greater Somalia” and voiced opposition against the secession of Somaliland.

According to Ahmed Ibrahim, Qorane’s father, she is held for Facebook posts allegedly harming Somaliland self-declared independence and supporting to the unity of Somalia.

A Human Rights Centre [HRC] based in Hargeisa has released a statement condemning the detention of the poet as illegal and violation of human rights and constitution of Somaliland.

“The arrest of Naima without a court warrant for expressing her opinion is contrary to the Constitution, both the Constitution of Somaliland and the international human rights instruments guarantee freedom of expression,” read the statement in part.

The HRC has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Naima who the behind bars for a week. No official charges against her were filed by the prosecution.

The jailed poet Naima Ahmed Ibrahim was brought to Hargeisa Regional Court on 29th January 2018 and 1st February 2018. The court remanded her into custody and the police denied her family to meet the activist.

In the past years, Somaliland has clamped down on individuals campaigning against its bid for independence, including humanitarian reporter Abdimalik Muse Oldon who was arrested for meeting President Farmajo in Mogadishu, February 2017.

GAROWE ONLINE