Congressman Donald Payne

For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Kerry McKenney

Puntland and Ethiopian security personnel, invited by Puntland authorities, interrogated the prisoners.  One of the prisoners, Abdi Mohamed Hassan also known as “Abdi Teerso” was handed over to Ethiopian security.  Another prisoner died while in custody.  An elderly man from Puntland was arrested by Puntland authorities after he publicly criticized the government.

This is not the first time Puntland authorities have harassed, tortured, killed, and handed over men of Ogadeni origin to Ethiopian security.  Over a year ago, two senior members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) were handed over to Ethiopian security by a Puntland minister.  They came, with the permission of Puntland authorities, to discuss the murder of an elder.

In June 2009, I invited President Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) of Puntland to testify before my Subcommittee on Somalia.  After the hearing, I discussed a number of issues with him, including the targeting and the handing over of Ogadenis to Ethiopian authorities.  I was assured then that this would not happen again and that the government would reach out to this community.

In an effort to resolve the recent detention of the five men, I called the President of Puntland to discuss my concerns and strongly urged him to release them without delay. I even proposed that the men be sent to another country where they will be safe. A week passed and nothing happened.

In mid-November, I met again with the President of Puntland and his Interior Minister in Kenya to urge them to release the three men still in detention in Puntland. Again, he pledged to find ways to pardon the prisoners.  In fact, Puntland authorities are now threatening non-Puntland Somalis to leave some areas within 48 hours.

I strongly condemn this abusive and dictatorial behavior and demand the immediate release of the prisoners.  I also call for those responsible for the killing of the prisoner and intimidation of Ogadenis to be held accountable, including senior officials who authorized these measures.  Failure to act quickly on this matter will have serious consequences.

Simansime @ 11/23/2009 6:01 PM EST  We don't want to hear Congressman Donald Payne speaking as ONLF or Oromo spokesman, time and time again: "the Puntland government arrested five men of Ogadeni origin." If he has your plight at heart let him settle you in New Jersey, since it is ethnically heterogeneous state.

Simansime @ 11/23/2009 5:51 PM EST  Fiqicigaal, Soomaali kasta wuxuu rabo ka sameyn karaa meeshuu doono, sheekdaasi tagtaye. Ogaden dhulkiina dhista oo jooga, haddaad deegaanada kale aad timaadiina danbi kama geli kartaan, kumana soo dhuuman kartaan idin ka oo soo waxyeeleyey, waa sida runta ahe Soomaalida kale ee degen Soomaali Galbeed iwm. ONLF, alshabab iyo jabhadeyn kale la aada meelaha ay idinka soconeyso, sow war cad maaha.

fiqicigaal @ 11/23/2009 4:54 PM EST  Simansime Every Somali has the right to live, work amd move to every corner of his country. But there is difference between defending ones right and status or denying it as in the case of those who moved to P/L or S/L tribal entities from ogaden or from other parts of Somalia. You can not expect the likes of alshabaab and other extremists or those who are driven by clan ideology to uphold the rights of those citizens that are under their authorities.

simbe @ 11/23/2009 4:12 PM EST  Thanks Mahare for the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R3X-qotSco&feature=player_embedded- I told you that the people is devided and that every intellegent or  educated person should work hard to unite his people and rebuild their homeland not to create havoc. Adamjama, Fiqi, Stick, Wiilwaal and those who is in hiding or may be rehabilitated like Gaadh_haye, Hymohamed etc. Remember unity is what you need at most-and infrastracture in all aspect of life –economic, communication, political, education you name it. Forget Puntland and Somaliland and even Somalia att large, they are trying to survive and odds doesn’t look good but there’s always hope. First clean your door steps before you tell how dirt is mine.

Simansime @ 11/23/2009 4:02 PM EST  Mana garan waxaad uga carootay ama kugu qasbay inaad fasirtid micnaha (AGAH!).