Somali town bans political gatherings over security fears

Hiiraan Online
Monday December 28, 2015

Yusuf Ahmed Hagar (Dabageed), new governor of Hiiraan Region

BELEDWEYNE (HOL) – Authorities in the central Somali town of Beledweyne have banned political gatherings for security reasons,
official said.

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The development comes few days after Somalia’s government appointed Yusuf Ahmed Hagar as the governor of Hiran region who replaced the region’s former commissioner Abdifitah Hassan Afrah who was flown to Somalia's capital for a criminal inquiry related to the killing of a UN employee last month.

Hassan Kafi Mohamed, the spokesman for the region’s administration told HOL that the directive was issued in view of potential security threats against political gathering held without the local administration’s knowledge as militants previously targeted meetings
in the town.

However, political analysts say that ban instead aims to silence political dissents and critics in the region as the new administration
tries to tighten its grip over the region. “People are free to express their personal opinions; however, we only aim to protect their safety.” Mr. Mohamed told HOL by phone from Beleweye town.

The ban follows an earlier warning by the region’s governor Yusuf Ahned Hagar who instructed local journalists not to cover political
gatherings, an action journalists’ watchdogs they said constitutes a flagrant violation of freedom of information.

Besides Syria, Somalia is one of the most dangerous places media workers operate.

Dozens of journalists have been killed in the past few years, forcing many to flee the horn of Africa nation where political parties vying
for Somali politics, government and militants are often blamed for journalists’ deaths.

Very few perpetrators have been so far been charged with the cold-blood murders which sent shockwaves across media industry.

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