North Western State of Somalia Urges Immediate Transfer of Detainees from Somalia

Mogadishu (AX) — In a move that has captured international attention, the North Western State of Somalia government has urgently requested the Somali federal authorities to transfer 25 detainees, taken from Las Anod, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This request comes amidst accusations that the federal government is violating international humanitarian law and leveraging the detainees for political gain.

On Wednesday, North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Justice issued a detailed statement, characterizing the transfer of these prisoners to Mogadishu as an “unlawful abduction.” The statement also cites a breach of the Third Geneva Convention, established in 1949, which governs the treatment of individuals during armed conflict. Specifically, it points towards Articles 12 and 118, which strictly prohibit the use of prisoners of war as instruments of coercion or political pressure.

“The detainees were taken against their will, forced to bear the Somali flag, and paraded for political purposes,” expressed Yonis Ahmed Yonis, the Minister of Justice for North Western State of Somalia. His words resonate with a profound sense of urgency and indignation. “We urge Somalia to hand them over to international agencies, such as the ICRC, that are mandated to oversee prisoner exchanges.”

This group of 25 detainees was apprehended during intense combat in early 2023 between North Western State of Somalia forces and fighters from the SSC-Khaatumo movement in the contested city of Las Anod, located in the northern Sool region of Somalia. Their release last week coincided with a historic visit from Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre—an event viewed as a significant gesture since it marks the first time a sitting premier has visited Las Anod in over fifty years. This visit further heightened tensions, as it coincided with Somalia’s official recognition of SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state—something that North Western State of Somalia vehemently opposes.

In the eyes of SSC-Khaatumo, this handover was portrayed as a “goodwill gesture,” while officials from Somalia described it as part of an overarching reconciliation initiative. “These are Somali citizens who were caught in a conflict,” explained Somalia’s Justice Minister, Hassan Moalim, in an interview with the BBC. “They are no longer prisoners. They are receiving medical care and being reunited with their families.” Yet, what constitutes goodwill in this intricate web of political maneuvering? Is the notion of ‘goodwill’ enough to erase the tensions that simmer just beneath the surface?

Following this controversial recognition of SSC-Khaatumo, North Western State of Somalia suspended all communications with the Somali federal government. Its leaders accuse Mogadishu of deliberately escalating tensions through strategic political actions. The North Western State of Somalia administration maintains that no prior discussions about the detainees took place and has denounced the transfer as an act that undermines its territorial authority. According to officials, the detainees were removed without consent, stripped of their rights, and left in a precarious legal limbo.

“There were no discussions. This is a politically motivated act that blatantly violates international norms and the rights of North Western State of Somalia citizens,” asserted Information Minister Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayanle. How do we navigate these complex political waters when the rights of individuals are consistently overshadowed by broader national agendas?

In light of these developments, North Western State of Somalia has called upon international human rights organizations to actively monitor the treatment of the detainees and demand legal oversight for all subsequent transfers. “The government of North Western State of Somalia is committed to a transparent and lawful exchange process that meets international standards,” the statement emphasized. It’s a commitment that aims to restore confidence in a deeply fractured political landscape.

As we reflect on this unfolding situation, it becomes increasingly evident that the path to resolving these tensions requires more than just political maneuvers; it requires a genuine commitment to human rights and the dignity of individuals caught in the crossfire. How can we, as a global community, ensure that compassion prevails over political gain? Only time will tell if the efforts towards reconciliation truly yield fruitful results or if they remain mere rhetoric in a narrative shaped by conflict.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring