North Western of SomaliaLawmakers Once Again Dismiss Charges Against MP Abiib

In a remarkable turn of events, North Western of Somalialawmakers have once again rejected charges against MP Abiib, stirring up intense debate.

The ongoing detention of Abiib has sparked significant outrage, with detractors arguing it’s an orchestrated attempt to silence opposing voices. Mohamud Hashi Abdi, the spirited Chairman of the Kaah Party, has been particularly emphatic in his denunciation of this situation. He asserts, “The absence of law has become painfully evident. Mohamed is being confined through unlawful means. We commend the House of Representatives’ courageous stance. All charges against him are quashed; he is innocent.” His remarks came in the wake of being denied visitation rights to Abiib while he remains incarcerated.

Hashi continued, emphasizing the broader implications, “This isn’t merely the plight of one individual; it’s about safeguarding the constitutional rights of every legislator.” Meanwhile, Abiib’s family grows increasingly distressed regarding his well-being in custody. His brother, Abdulqadir Abiib, revealed their attempts to visit him have been thwarted by bureaucratic barriers and severe restrictions. Reports of potential mistreatment behind bars have intensified their worries, leading them to seek a meeting with President Muse Bihi—though thus far, their efforts have hit a wall.

A cloud of procedural irregularities clouds Abiib’s legal saga. Back in July, the Permanent Committee of the House deemed a previous impeachment attempt invalid, citing an insufficient quorum. According to North Western of Somaliastatutes, a two-thirds majority vote is mandatory to strip a lawmaker of their immunity, a threshold not achieved in Abiib’s dilemma. Yet, despite this clear legal stipulation, he still faced arrest, prompting allegations of political maneuvering behind the charges.

Asha Koos, a fellow MP from Awdal, echoed concerns during the earlier impeachment proceedings. She cautioned that continued government hostility towards Abiib could lead to resignations from other lawmakers in Awdal, which would belt out their discontent. As tensions simmer, the situation in the Awdal region remains precarious, especially with national elections looming on the horizon in November. The targeting of a prominent MP from Awdal shakes the foundational stability of Somaliland’s political landscape.

As a growing chorus of opposition figures maintains that President Bihi’s administration is increasingly resorting to draconian measures, the use of the judiciary to suppress dissent raises alarming questions about the future of political discourse in Somaliland.