SOMALILAND - ARREST OF OPPOSITION POLITICIANS

UNCLAS STATE 108741 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SO SUBJECT: SOMALILAND - ARREST OF OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ¶1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 2. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Post is asked to approach the authorities of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland to pursue the following objectives: -- Convey USG concerns regarding the recent arrest of three leaders of the Qaran political association in Somaliland; -- Emphasize the USG expectation that Somaliland will adhere to the terms of its own constitution and allow political associations to compete for seats in the upcoming municipal elections; -- Stress that any efforts to prevent the creation of a new political party within the terms outlined by the constitution would significantly undermine the democratic gains achieved by Somaliland since 2001; and -- Press for the immediate release of the three leaders of the Qaran political association. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (U) On Saturday, July 28, authorities in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland arrested three opposition politicians planning to form a new political party. The opposition figures - Mohamed Abdi Gaboose, Mohamed Hashi Elmi, and Jamal Aideed Ibrahim ) are affiliated with the Qaran political association and were charged with founding an illegal organization and creating instability. All three are now being held at Mandera prison in Somaliland. ¶4. (U) Article 9 of the Somaliland constitution limits the number of political parties to a maximum of three. Under this framework, political associations may be formed prior to municipal elections and would be eligible to compete for seats in local elections. The three associations to receive the highest percentage of the vote during municipal elections would then be allowed to register as political parties and move forward to contest parliamentary and presidential elections. Municipal elections are currently scheduled to take place in Somaliland in December 2007, followed by presidential elections o/a April 2008. ¶5. (SBU) The current three political parties ) UDUB, Kulmiye, and UCID ) have been in place since the previous municipal elections in December 2002. The leaders of each party, including President Dahir Riyale Kahin (UDUB),Ahmed Mohamoud "Silanyo" (Kulmiye),and Faisal Ali Warabe (UCID), are established politicians who leave little political space for the emergence of a new generation of democratic leadership. Each of the current parties opposes the establishment of a new political party out of fear of being prevented from seeking seats in the upcoming presidential elections. However, efforts to prevent the establishment of a new political party is both illegal under the Somaliland constitution and undermines the democratic gains that Somaliland has achieved since 2001. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶6. (U) Department greatly appreciates Post's continued engagement and reporting on this issue. Please report results of this effort via front-channel cable to AF/E Nole Garey by Friday, August 10. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶7. (U) Please contact AF/E Nole Garey for any further background information or argumentation to meet our objectives. RICE