To resolve or not to resolve, that is the question in Buhodle and Lasanod’s recent murder cases

On July 15th, 2013. on the outskirts of Buhodle City, Mohamed Abdi Bidaar was killed by an assailant from the same Cayn region of Khatumo administration. Reports indicate that the killer was a Kalshaale war veteran and was suffering from a Post Traumatic Stress. Upon the surfacing of this unfortunate incident, this Buhodle community gathered to capture the perpetrator and within days brought him to justice; choosing the traditional conflict resolution method that according to wishes of the victim’s family, calls to either render a verdict of death sentence or accept financial compensation.

The latter would be exercised in the  above case. However, on the other hand, on the outskirts of Lasanod _a Khatumo community city currently under occupation by the Somaliland administration, another murder case was in play right about the same time . In contention at Abeesaley was whether or not new settlements could be developed in this Lasanod suburb. In an early morning stroll as he was visiting the site of this possible new building, the unsuspecting victim was gunned down by the heavy armament of a Bazooka machine gun. in the ensuing confusion, the victim’s family searched for answers only to be told by the Somaliland administration “we will get back to you” for resolutions to this. This murderer, armed by Somaliland is still at large and no justice has been served yet.

Although offenders in both cases have been identified beyond a reasonable doubt, How is it possible that one city was able to resolve its murder case so quickly while the other is still unresolved. In this writing, instead of delving into the details of various sub-clans implicated in both cases, the focus will be to examine how the two administrations: Khatumo in Buhodle and Somaliland in illegally occupied Lasanod, deal with criminal murder cases in their jurisdictions. We will also highlight new developments in the Fiqifuliye town of Sanaag region.

The Somaliland administration seems to be selective about who it chooses to criminally prosecute and who it chooses to willfully ignore? For example, a few months ago, a well known traditional Aqil leader, a native of lasanod has been imprisoned by the Somaliland authorities for allegedly owing money to a business partner who hails from Burco region. This Aqil has been reportedly tired of false promises by the Somaliland Police who kept telling him “wait, justice will be served”. With no resolution in sight, in a vigilante justice style, he reportedly chose to make himself whole by seizing a property that belonged to his former business associate in Lasanod.

Was this Lasanod Aqil imprisoned because his alleged victim was from Buro in Somaliland proper and not from Lasanod? is Khatumo on Khatumo crime given the same weight and value as Khatumo on Somaliland or vice versa. Would this Aqil be jailed if his business associate was from the Khatumo Community? These are among the many questions asked by many on main-street khatumo land. Instead of capturing its criminal murderers and taking them to Mandhera super jail like they did in this Aqil’s case, some capital murder cases remain willfully un-resloved, not because the perpetrators are unknown but because they are. How many times have you heard the usual response “please wait from us”.

In this Abeesaley case, the waiting continues despite more than twenty years of UNDP grants used to pay for policing and conflict resolution efforts in Somaliland, despite all the taxation and revenue streams collected from Lasanod residents, this khatumo-at heart community in Sool region feel unsafe and under-siege. Why was it possible that Buhodle city with no external and international funding resources was able to better keep the safety and security of its residents? Perhaps, when the people feel free and enjoy the liberty and security brought forth by their own Khatumo State, they are able to make sound judgements that are efficient and binding thus enjoying a better quality of life.

Meanwhile, in the news a few weeks ago, folks in Fiqifuliye were hijacked by a few corrupt leaders who sold off the genuine wishes and aspirations of their khatumo’s Sanaag community to the Somaliland administration. A conspiracy facilitated by mercenaries in exchange for promises and i repeat promises of a “better life”: promises that were never kept in Lasanod’s Justice system, Lasanod’s Business and entrepreneurship sector, Lasanod’s development in general.

Whatever happened to Lasanod’s Airport that was to be completed within three weeks, or the Football stadium that was to be built. Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been almost six years and none of these projects have been completed. Sorry, i meant _have been started. It would be interesting to see Somaliland’s Minister _dubbed as the man responsible for Water and Natural resources demonstrate his mandate in Fiqifuliye; how many waterholes will his Ministry dig up? Perhaps a hospital or a school might be erected here one day nuances the Interior Minister.

Lasanod residents have been in this movie over the past six years and have nothing to show it for, save for a street lighting project that lasted for two nights. Perhaps Somaliland will prefer Fiqifuliye over lasanod and build an Air-strip there! the illusion continues. See how Somaliland exports weapons to Khatumo-land but suppresses economic development activities.

As for Khatumo folks in Taleh city, who trusted their new and democratic administration, for a mere $ 270.00 airfare, this summer they are getting ready to fly straight from Mogadishu to Taleh; building their region, refining their governance systems and why not, partying together once again like it is Jan. 2012.

My friends in Fiqifuliye, I say the time has come for you to turn over your weapons, as per the latest directive from your new Masters in Hargaisa; weapons that will be used to kill none other than your own people in Lasanod, Hagogane, Huddun and even Fiqifuliye… implementing a case of “Give me your weapons so i can use them to kill you”. Meanwhile, discussions of a Dreamland by disingenuous political manipulators continue as the faithful in Fiqifuliye obliviously await for some kind of change in the quality of their lives.

but wait a minute… This just in from Fiqifuliye: 

“Somaliland authorities imprisoned the following Traditional elders: Aqil C/saaq Maxamed Xasan, Caaqil Maxamed Caarshe, Caaqil Maxamuud Maxamed Low, Caaqil Cumar Cali Askar Cumar Hindi, Oday Jibriil Duuble alleging them to have had conversation involving the return of the Fiqifuliye youth who were brainwashed into joining the SNM Militia”.  

The saga continues… as predictions come true before you even finish writing the article

A. Hindi.

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