Guban View: Do not Abandon Somaliland POWs

This week Somaliland celebrates its 34th anniversary since reconstituting its independence from Somalia. During this time the nation is dealing with deep political division, poor economic conditions, mediocre administration, and civil unrest, many are forgetting Somaliland’s real heroes.

Since August 2023, hundreds of Somaliland prisoners of war, including General Feisal Bootaan, the former commander of  Somaliland’s military in the Eastern Post,  Lt. General  Ahmed Ibrahim}Gadhyogal”, and others, have been enduring brutal treatment in captivity. For almost two years, these POWs have suffered torture, starvation, disease, beatings, and their families have faced extortion demands while they remain detained in terrorist camps in Las-Anood and Buuhoodle. Some have died at the hands of Dhulbahante tribal militias. Only about a dozen have returned home through murky arrangements. 

Our POWs were captured during the East Sool insurrection in 2023. We do not know exactly the number of POWs being held other than the number released by the tribal militias, which is around 350 POWs. But the exact figure is much lower, according to the ICRC estimates, the figure is less than 175 POWs.

But what is the Cirro/Hersi administration’s plan to release our POWs? It appears they have no plan to release our POWs. Instead, they seem to be allowing Burr-Madoobe, who allegedly has ties with terrorists, to use our prisoners as political pawns to collect ransom money from remnants of the Faqash. 

Consider how the Cirro administration treated the high value anti-Somaliland militia prisoners captured during the East Sool insurrection, while our commanders and soldiers are still being tortured or even killed by notorious Dhulbahante tribal militias.

The Families and the relatives of the POWs are frustrated by the lack of JSL government progress or efforts to release their loved ones. Instead of helping families in addressing the POws issue, the Cirro administration  is making their daily  lives more difficult. For example, the son of Gen. “Gadh-Yogal” , who was a junior Engineer at Hargeisa Water utility was fired . from his position. He was the victim of the purge campaign Cirro and his  supporters conducted to eliminate  those associated with former President  Muse Bihi’s Sub-clan  and  party, from the JSL civil service, and replace them with incompetent and unqualified  individuals from Cirro’s   Gar-xajis sub-clan and Wadani party apparatchiks.

We are asking the Cirro/ Hersi administration to set up a special office for POWs and missing soldiers at the Ministry of Defense. The mission of the office should be to gather information on the names, numbers of our POWs, and develop a comprehensive plan  to secure their freedom. President Cirro should also meet with the families and relatives of the POWs. We should use whatever means necessary to release the POWs ,  including force if necessary.

Why is it taking so long to release the POWs? It appears that Cirro and Waddani party officials colluded with the leaders of the tribal militias to delay the release of POWs until tafter the 2024 presidential election. Now, that the election is over, why is Cirro still not serious about securing their freedom?

I would like to remind Cirro/ Hersi, their radical Ictisaam supporters, the tribal militias, and the so-called Federal Republic of Somalia :  the time has come to stop using our POWs as political pawns or for financial  gain.

If anything happens to our POWs, Cirro/ Hersi would be responsible, as  General Bootaan’s daughter eloquently said in a recent interview.

Our soldiers were captured while defending the territorial integrity of Somaliland. They fought gallantly defending our freedom and security. They were not fighting for a particular sub-clan or group. Therefore, we are expecting the JSL government to actively pursue their release  expeditiously.

This past week, riots erupted in  Burao, the hometown of General Bootaan, after  reports leaked that the Cirro administration was releasing the Dhulbahante tribal militia prisoners in JSL jails. Two people died, dozens were injured and hundreds were arrested in the unrest.

For almost a year, the Somaliland National Defense Forces (SLNDF) heroically defended their posts and territory in Las-Anood  despite our politicians tying their hands and engaging in political bickering. 

It’s impossible for the military to win a war when the country is divided and the political discourse is toxic. What is more distressing is the blatant manner in which Cirro and Wadani party leaders, notorious clan elders, and corrupt merchants orchestrated, aided and colluded with anti- Somaliland militias during the insurrection in East Sool—actions that constitute sedition and treason. In fact, Cirro even accused the SLNDF of committing genocide.

Waving the white flag of surrender is not an option, despite what Cirro and Waddani party leaders appear to be doing now. 

It is difficult to forget what took place in Las Anood on August 25, 2023, and the brutal mistreatment our POWs continue to face. Yet, we must move forward to defend our freedom and demand the release of our POWs. Our service men and women deserve this support. We should show our gratitude by taking action.

Finally, let us take a moment on this Independence Day to remember and reflect on those who fought for our nation. We pray for the safe return of our POWS and protection for those who are currently serving our country.

May Allah Bless Somaliland.

 Happy Eighteenth of May.

Ali -Guban Mohamed

Editor Gubanmedia.com