Africa » Somaliland
Canadian Citizen Arrested in Somaliland by Berbera Mayor without Charges
May 28, 2010 · 55 Comments
HARGEISA (SomalilandPress) — A 60 year old Canadian citizen is being held in Berbera’s main jail where he has been held without charge for the last three nights at the request of the Mayor of Berbera, who is also the chairman of the National Security Committee in Saaxil region. While arbitrary arrests on trumped up charges have occurred in the past, they’re usually reserved for members of the press or those involved in politics.
Ibrahim Haji Abdi Elmi is currently held in Berbera jail where the temperature reaches above 40 degrees centigrade at this time of year, in a city where there is no air conditioning. He is being held along with two others who were arrested at the same time after being invited for a friendly meeting.
[ad#Google Adsense (336x280)]
Our sources reveal that Mr. Elmi is being held over some political comments he made, and outraged citizens are currently working on securing the release of the US educated retired Colonel. Reports indicate that the Mayor of Berbera was not happy to hear about Mr. Elmi’s support for the Kulmiye opposition party.
SomalilandPress has made several attempts to contact the Mayor of Berbera (Abdullah Mohamed Arab) for more information, however, at this point in time we have been unsuccessful.
Maxmuud-Aar
Somalilandpress | Friday, May 28 2010
Follow @somalilandpressBy Abdiqani
Tags: Canada, Ibrahim Haji Abdi Elmi, Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland:Abdul Mohamed of Somaliland origin chosen as the new mayor of Southwark Borough of London
Cllr Abdul Mohamed was announced as the new Mayor of Southwark at Council Assembly ,Cllr Mohamed was Deputy Mayor last year, and replaces outgoing Mayor ...
Somaliland:The Vice President of Somaliland Speech to the House of Commons
Honorable MPs, Friends of Somaliland, Ladies and gentlemen, we are delighted to be received in this landmark of democracy, the mother of all parliaments, ...
Somaliland:SLNTV Partners with ETV of Ethiopia-Director
By Goth Mohamed Goth The Director General of Somaliland National Television Mr. Khadar Hassan Ali Gaas has met with Mr. Ottayo, the director of ETV ...
Somaliland: Edna as Keynote Speaker on End Fistula Day
Edna Serves as Keynote Speaker at International Day to End Obstetric Fistula The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) designated May 23 as International Day to ...
Somaliland:Somaliland Success Story
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOMALILAND AND ACCOMPLISHED SUCCESS Now the 22nd anniversary of Independence of Somaliland has passed in grace, peace, and enjoyment and Somali ...
Your Say
Somaliland:The ignored state in the horn of Africa
It is obvious that almost all African nations know nothing about the existing ground reality in Somaliland, the self proclaimed state in the horn of ...
- Somaliland:Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Speech on Somaliland on the 18th May 2013
- The Shining Somaliland: Those Who Think Somaliland Is Crumbling Or Uniting With Somalia Should Swallow Their Saliva
- Ethiopia:Why do Arabs regard the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam with “apprehension”?
- Somalia and the Slippery Slope of ‘Jubbaland’
- Somaliland:What Motivates Somalilander’s Opponents
- Somaliland:22nd Anniversary of Somaliland independence celebrations took place in multiple countries
- Ethiopia: The Corruption Game
- Somaliland should not be viewed as a renegade region from Somalia
- Somaliland:What Is Organizational Culture? And Why Should We Care?
- Somaliland: May 18th is a Remembrance Day.
Somaliland: Dahabshiil is epitome of altruism
The outbreak of civil war in late eighties had of course precipitated a disaster for Somali people, among the people who were deeply affected fiscally were ...
Somaliland:Somaliland Success Story
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOMALILAND AND ACCOMPLISHED SUCCESS Now the 22nd anniversary of Independence of Somaliland has passed in grace, peace, and enjoyment and Somali ...
Sport
Britain’s Farah eyes Marathon record
Olympic champion Mo Farah has set his sights on adding to his growing collection of British long-distance records when he makes his full London Marathon ...
Farah had ‘no doubts’ about running marathon
British Olympic star Mo Farah claimed on Thursday that he never considered pulling out of the London Marathon despite the fatal bomb attacks in the ...
Somaliland:National Youth Football Tournament is once again postponed for the Third Time
The Somaliland Minister of Sports, Youth &tourism Hon Ali Said Raygal has announced yet postponement of the national youth tournament which was scheduled to kick-off ...
Somali football leagues complete season unmarred by violence
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) celebrated on Friday (December 14th) the conclusion of a local league season unmarred by violence, Somalia’s Radio Risaala reported. “This ...
Telesom donates $20,000 towards sporting event in Somaliland
Somaliland’s top telecom player Telesom on Monday presented a cheque for US$20,000 towards the upcoming national football tournament in Hargeisa. Presenting the cheque Ali Mohamed ...
Law & Order UDUB style
I agree, because until proven guilty he will be in custody for questioning.
Hi Ali
It does not look like this man had committed any crime… but he made a common so why would u hold someone for three days that sounds like unjust to me. You need to prove someone guilty if their were murder involved or something grave.
I though that Somaliland was different because they had laws. You can't arrest an individual because he said something about the mayor what happened to freedom of speech. This is outrage and juvenile thing to do. The man is 60 years old what harm he can do ….. I think that they need to release him now. And that the mayor of Berbera needs to think before he reacts to something so simple like this.
Somaliland's laws are different, but those implementing are ex-faqash and this is how they deal.
UDUB FOREVER: FOREVER UDUB!!!
ex-Fqash are running Somaliland, so don't be so shocked.
Naliye, you're right but still the opposition runners are Faqash trained as well!
This is such injustice and such disappointment on the somaliland leaders part, they should have known better then to throw an inoccent man who served his country for so long in jail over a comment. They need to get their act together and stop punishing the citizens for expressing their concerns. May allah keep him safe and make his release soon.
I guess the people of berbera can’t express their thoughts and ideas. Very depressing and it looks like the mayor just wants to flex’s his muscles because he can. But I see that as a poor leadership shame on the mayor of Berbera and may the rest of the citizen’s stand together to stop this type of bullying
Somaliland government needs to do something about this case before we have outsiders get involve with this. What ever happen to Freedom of Speech? I see that Somaliland is not much different than Somalia.
Well I’ am of proud of Somaliland and what it has done for it is people but I guess you will have a few bad apples to spoil this….. And insha Allah this well is done in a professional matter to release Mr Ibrahim Elmi. Also this can be a learning tool for the mayor of Berbera not to react when someone expresses their thoughts and maybe we can have freedom of speech.
As if it was different from Somalia at any point.
The Waqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer are controlled by the worst of the clannish Elites from the Barre regime. They have no morality what so ever. There are many unreported incidents like this in that region daily. Look what they did to ina Oomaar. They refused him to attend the funeral of his father, because of his political views?
I hope the people in Togdheer and Waqooyi Galbeed realize sooner the divide and conquer politics of these Clannish elites, abandon their secessionist B.S. and join their fellow Somalis to find a common solution for the common CLAN PREDICAMENT that is retrogressing us all Somalis back to the stone ages.
UDUB is arresting, harassing and intermediating everyone before elections the international community has to know that and it's clear this time they lost elections and dont have the backing of Somaliland's powerful Diaspora as well as the West.
UDUB has to go, time for a change.
Rayale is behaving like the ignorant foot-soldier he is and his little "cabinet" are all unqualified I am even suprised they lasted 8 years.
This man has to be set free as soon as possible – Somaliland Diaspora need to make their voice heard.
We have to tell UDUB and the so called Mayor of Berbera, an incompotent, corrupted and ignorant man we will not tolerat your so called "law and justice" hence "Siad Bare law". We removed him (Siad bare) and we will remove you dont step over old men.
Berbera is crumbling and every thing is falling apart partly because of this so called "mayor", by far the worst guy in Somaliland.
They messed with the wrong old man than .. cuz he has family that loves him and wouldn't stop until he is free.. Insha Allah and Somaliland Diaspora will make their voices be heard.. So this would not happen again to any somalilander ..May Allah Keep Mr Ibrahim safe….
Hello Anisa,
My dad has been in jail for the last 6 years thanks to the Government of Canada making a deal with the UAE to trade him in exchange for some junkie they wanted to have released from a UAE prison.
I'm sure they will do whatever they need to do and are resourceful enough to exert some pressure on the government of Somaliland.
Dear Mr.Kayse what has changed you so dramatically? You have blamed me many times that I am negative. What has changed? Is the wind of Kulmiye winning blown to your way? Since our President came to power this sort of injustice was going and I have not seen you saying anything about it. -What make you change? and how it happen. You can call 00974- 7468339 for further debate, if you wish so. Omer Hussein Dualeh [out in the open]
I am for no body walaal, I stand against any thing thats wrong and I always welcome any thing thats positive. You seen me praise perhaps ina Rayale in the past because I felt for that particular job he did ok, when he does ok i will congratulate him when he does something like this I am against it.
It's how things are every day — ups and downs, this is me. I dont stay the same now does our world, you need to read realitivity lol
Boqoljireh, I was too, surprised to see his comment is positive this time. I even attacked him couple of times and called him a "chameleon" midabeeya.
He was not only attacking Kulmiye, but he was directly attacking the Chairman which I personally consider a hero without necessarily being a Kulmiye memeber. But he must have had a change of heart and came to his senses. It is never too late Kayse to realize a mistake.
Riyaale and his hencemen's days are numbered. waa cagacagayntii u dambaysey. And I am sure they will pay for it. They have no respect for individual's rights.
Warsame,
You wrote “I see that Somaliland is not much different than Somalia”
While the North has a tribaal peace, which is achievable by every clan+ in Somalia, the South is progressing politically. The question is is it better to sustain peace in an unpredictable circumstances due to clan politics like the North or go through hardships to progress towards sustainable peace and stability based on statehood, like the South?
The great play writer, Xassan Ganey said “musiibadu aduunyada iyadaa u macalin ah” We need to get this message to progress.
Politicians in Boosaaso and Hargeisa succeeded to maintain their constituencies in the 1991 era clan politics. All they tell people in these regions is how other clans hate them to keep them motivated. They don’t provide better political alternative.
Meanwhile, the south is going through ideological change and progressing from tribalism to Islamism and now in search of a true nationalism.
To me, the South is way better.
Warsame,
You wrote “I see that Somaliland is not much different than Somalia”
While the North has a tribaal peace, which is achievable by every clan+ in Somalia, the South is progressing politically. The question is is it better to sustain peace in an unpredictable circumstances due to clan politics like the North or go through hardships to progress towards sustainable peace and stability based on statehood, like the South?
The great play writer, Xassan Ganey said “musiibadu aduunyada iyadaa u macalin ah” We need to get this message to progress.
Warsame,
You wrote “I see that Somaliland is not much different than Somalia”
The question is is it better to sustain peace in an unpredictable circumstances or go through hardships to progress towards sustainable peace and stability based on statehood?
The great play writer, Xassan Ganey said “musiibadu aduunyada iyadaa u macalin ah” We need to get this message to progress.
Warsame,
The question is is it better to sustain peace in an unpredictable circumstances or go through hardships to progress towards sustainable peace and stability based on statehood?
The great play writer, Xassan Ganey said “musiibadu aduunyada iyadaa u macalin ah” We need to get this message to progress.
Politicians in Boosaaso and Hargeisa succeeded to maintain their constituencies in the nineteen ninety one era clan politics. All they tell people in these regions is how other clans hate them to keep them motivated, not a better political alternative.
Meanwhile, the south is going through ideological change and progressing from tribalism to Islamism and now in search of a true patriotism.
Warsame,
The question is is it better to sustain peace in an unpredictable circumstances or go through hardships to progress towards sustainable peace and stability based on statehood?
The great play writer, Xassan Ganey said “musiibadu aduunyada iyadaa u macalin ah” We need to get this message to progress.
Keyse,PRINCIPLE, NOT EMOTIONS MAN.
Go back to Puntland – this topic isnt for you and call those little militia in Widhwidh B)
this is absurd and unacceptable, the people of Berbera need to make their voice heard.Mr. Riyale will do anything to stay in power, and this so called Mayor needs
to be shown that the real power lies with the people.Mr. Arab (funny name for a somali) release Mr. Elmi or face your ultimate demise.Remember Mr. Elmi has more supporters both inside Somalia and through out the world including a Government(Canada) that will protect its people from ignorant dictators like yourself and Riyale.
You all seem to be angary about what had happened to uncle Ibrahim Elmi because none of you know exactly what happens over there…. This a normal thing for those who rule Somaliland, from Minister to a Deputy Manager. You don't know how many times I have heard the word "iixidh waryaa" for the last 8 years I have been living in Hargeisa. If you visit a public office and you complain about the services or argue who ever is in charge at that office, who defenitely call the police and say "iixidh waryaa, wuu hadal bataye". Simple as that.
Rayale thinks he runs the country but he doesnt, the real power is with the Somaliland Diaspora who got both the education and the money. I am certain if Somaliland Diaspora voice against this illegal arrest by Berbera he will be free in no time.
I don't know no Elmi but lets free the man.
Everyone stay away from Berbera OR learn to shut hell up……this is not Europe or America..You speak up, we will but your ass in jail.
Welcome to Somaliland, where people are not allow to express or speak their mind, where media can report as unless the goverment approves…We call this a goverment?
Hi Ameen
It is sad that their are others that are locked up for no reason but i'am saying if this works then insha Allah we can work together so this does not happen to anyone because it is not fair to keep someone that is 60 in jail for voicing ideas or thoughts … Maybe we need to know the case for others if no one knows then how can we help them. in this case we know that he is locked up and we can try to pressure on the government of Somaliland and the mayor of Berbera…. So please everyone needs to united and help each other and not go into details about clans and tribes etc.. thank you
I am sure Mr. Elmi will be release thankz to this article..But what about hundrends like him that never get the media coverage.
United Ummah
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah, and be not
divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favors on
… you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by
His Grace you became brothers"; [Surah Al'Imran]…
I hope we all can keep this in our hearts and minds as muslims
it seems that the opposition party is politicizing the issue, no one is above somaliland's law, and as i believe somaliland has remarkable judiciary system. this story is not complete, before you get into conclusion wait till you get the reason they put him in jail.
I hope their while be no election, so the ppl can rise and trash this western shit wannabes and restore the sharia
Funny and i got deleted for saying sharia no freedom here as well
hi faysal
even if he said something that does not give the mayor the right to lock someone up… I think we would have know if their were more to this story…. This man did not commit a murder or anything dangerous. so where is the remarkable judiciary system? Lock a man cuz he said something .. I guess iam use to having the freedom to express my thoughts ….. that's what i call freedom of Speech.
Times like these are why I re-consider moving to Somaliland because any fool with power can put you in jail for no reason. I know that in the Somaliland constitution it indicates that anyone who is arrested should be brought to justice in 48 hours. FREE MR. ELMI NOW…..
Ottawa, Canada
I am very sorry to hear that Mujahid Ibrahim Haji Elmi has been arrested without charge in berbera Jail. Ibrahim is very nationalistic, patriotic and good person, who participated and took great role in somaliland past reconciliation conferences. We saaxil intelectuals are requesting his immediate release.
Anigu lama yaabaayo haddii dadka shacabka ah xaqdaro lagu xidho, sabatoo ah waxa wax xukumaya wadankii maanta waxay u badan yihiin kuwii Afweeyne uga soo shaqeeyey Nabad Sugida (NSS). Alle ha dhaafiyo wadanka way sumaysan yihiini.
loooooooooool, you people are funny, this is a joke. How you know this guy is even arrested. All I know is that Somalilandpress could be anti-UDUB.
And if he did got arrested, then the old man needs to shut his mouth and mind his business cos he aint in Canada, 'This is Africa'.
And for the folks that are saying the Somaliland diaspora regulate Somaliland, well lets just say they are chatting from their rear, cos the last I heard Riyaale and his strong cabinet gang were running the show.
And by the way the international community dont bother about Somaliland, cos if they did we would have been recognise by now.
Dear Simon.. You can laugh all you want but know that is old man is our father and trust me Somalilandpress is not no anti UDUB party we have better things to do abowe… We just want our father to be released. My Father has not done anything wrong but speak to a mayor for heaven seek the mayor.. and we will do anything to get him out and i bet if you were in our shoe you would want someone to help you and make noise and i thank that Somalilandpress has done a wonderful job…. So please don't jump into conclusion on this matter… Know the facts.. then you can something.
Correction Simon: We are not Anti-UDUB, we are anti-corruption.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; "Almost everyone on the internet has ten fingers." So I admire your courage while sitting behind a computer screen and can only wish I was as brave online as you are.
Somalilander
The Somali people love to complain about goverment, even here in the UK. But what they need to know is when to hush up and not to get involved. Am not surprise why people are being arrested in Somaliland on political issue, cos every Somali thinks his the President of the State. I for one is not in favor of UDUB, but I wouldnt cross them, is just something you dont do. People get the idea that Somaliland is like the Western Countries, with democracy that comes with 'freedom of speech', well it aint. People need to know that you are in the African Continant, and Democracy is not a religion law and it is viewed in different way. Can I just add one more thing, the notion of 'freedom of speech' is a joke. Because you cant say certain or issue about a ruling party in Western States, the only time it comes to play is whenever someone has a negative comments to say about Islam.
Situation like this make me wonder whether our people in Somaliland are even capable of protecting their hard won freedoms. Its incredible to me that a mayor could jail someone outside of the judicial system and face not the slightest protest of opposition from the public. What are the residents of Somaliland doing when things like this are happening all the time? I am absolutely sure that had the public protested angrily and stormed the police stations and jails following any arbitrary arrest of a citizen without charge, no politician including Riyaale would have dared to go down that route. Citizens of successful democracies make it their solemn duty to guard their freedoms and never ask the outsiders to do that job for them.
My house in Berbera has air-con. LOL
Please, think before accusing someone for this kind of nonsense, do we know how true this accusation is? How do we know the opposition party a just making this up? In another Somaliland website, I read totally different reasons why this guy was arrested, it's something to do with bussiness deal that went sour. So to all of you write write nonsense, please, do not jump to conclusions before knowing the truth behind all these.
Tis an absolute shame to see a man who has come home to be with his people arrested over such an accusation.
I live in Somaliland at the moment, I see how the dis-functional UDUB government dictates their decisions. I myself along with many other friends and family will be leaving this country for good if the current government does not change.
We are all living under a Faqash dictatorship.
I am a businessman so I am not officially supporting any of the Political parties here, but a CHANGE would be nice.
Tis an absolute shame to see a man who has come home to be with his people arrested over such an accusation.
I live in Somaliland at the moment, I see how the dis-functional UDUB government dictates their decisions.
We are all living under a Faqash dictatorship.
I am a businessman so I am not officially supporting any of the Political parties here, but a CHANGE would be nice.
Tis an absolute shame to see a man who has come home to be with his people arrested over such an accusation. I live in Somaliland at the moment, I see how the dis-functional UDUB government dictates their decisions. I myself along with many other friends and family will be leaving this country for good if the current government does not change. We are all living under a Faqash dictatorship. I am a businessman so I am not officially supporting any of the Political parties here, but a CHANGE would be nice.
why would anyone ever make up shut a stupid accusation, this is a real tragic event and stupid people like you are playing it down, did you ever think to do your research before you make such a comment. how does somalliland ever want people to take them seriously if they are doing things like this to their citizens. shame on that so called mayor and the rest of the somaliland government, they are not any better then the rest of somalia. just release mr elmi now he should be intitled to speak his mind in his own country. and as for people who think thought that somaliland was the best place in somalia will think twice now.
Where in the article does it even mention the order of his arrest came from the president?! stop blaming everything on the president, I know Udub will no doubt win this coming election..so you guys eat your hearts out !
to somalilander
walaal how can you say there is difference between politics and religion, religion is far superior than politics, something can not be okay with politics if its against Islam, associating with jews is subxana allah something unbelieveably against all principles of islam…….you also writing that isaaqland is different to the alnds of all the other tribes, to some level i agree, its different in geophysical and geopolitical but other then that everything is the same, …..xamar is different than all other places…but surely hargeysa is not that different to kismaayo or bosaso and as far as I am concerned isaaq people still tend there camels just like the rest, and people still enjoy laxox and shaax in the morning whilst wearing macawis,.. the geopolitical level of hargeysa might be different to that of baydhabo lakiin surely u dont believe hargeysa is run differently than garowe or berbera different than bosaso… ….brothers back home things are excactly as they were 100 years ago somalis are somalis…..dont you know the name somalia is only 50 years old and the somali flag plus the borders plus national anthem ………………………………………..but the tribes {including isaaq} language, way of life, religion and customs as well as tradition have been around before some people knew what independence was…………………I am harti/darod and I support greater somalia for the good of the people as well as for the brotherhood,….people in hargeysa are part and parcel of ardul somaal, same as those in jigjiga maandheere djibouti bosaso xamar baladwayn kismayo garisa…we are who we are…..we change and we have the make the best out of it…….PUNTLAND AND SOMALILAND UNITED with a leader whose heart is with the somalis…AND NOT WITH ETHIOPIANS