Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2018/04/24

A Somaliland poet arrested for a poem that called for the unification of the country and neighbouring Somalia has since been released.

Nacima Abwaan was accosted at the Hargeisa Egal International Airport upon her arrival from Mogadishu, where she performed the poem and sentenced to three years in prison.

Prosecutors claim she expressed opinions on social media that undermined the semi-autonomous state’s claim to full independence.

However, according to reports, Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi gave Nacima a full pardon.

Political and Youth Activist Khadar Mariano told Radio Islam that Abwaan was apparently arrested for saying things, which could have sparked violence in the country.

“She was arrested for treason, apparently she said things which could have sparked violence in the peaceful Somaliland and for that reason she has been jailed for three years.”

Mariano says Abwaan is a unionist and quite active on social media.

“Now the government of Somaliland is saying that her posts on social media could do harm to the peaceful harmony in Somaliland.”

In a second case the same court sentenced Mohamed Kayse Mohamoud, a 31-year-old author, to 18 months in prison on charges of “offending the honour of the president.”

Analysts say the imprisonment of Abwaan and Mahamoud are contrary to the constitution of Somaliland.

Listen to the full interview below: