Again, yesterday, Thursday, Abdimaalik Muse Coldoon, a humanitarian worker in Somaliland, was arrested in Berbera, although it was not clear what he was being held for.
Abdimaalik fled his home town of Burco on March 22 after he said he received news that he was going to be arrested while he was in Bohol for several days. The community and his family asked him to return to Burco, telling him that he would not be arrested, but he was just suspicious.
“Abdimaalik Muse Coldoon, brother, there is no problem, just go with your people when you criticize something and criticize it politely,” advised Abdirahman Muse Coldoon, their brother. “Abdirahman Cirro’s office is open to you. You can go with whatever you want. He is a good and calm man, who listens to people.”
Abdimalik has since returned to Burao, but was arrested yesterday in Berbera after a trip from Burao. Although the reason for his arrest has not been officially announced, there were reports that the reason was a comment he made on a report broadcast by Al Jazeera Arabic that Somaliland would accept refugees from Gaza.
“I am from Somalia, and the minister does not represent us. He represents a mercenary government, the Palestinians are our brothers, and the people of Gaza will remain patient and steadfast in their land,” Coldoon said in comments that are suspected of being government-sanctioned.
Although the security forces have not officially stated what Coldoon is being held for, the current ruling Waddani party has repeatedly spoken out about Coldoon’s several arrests during the previous Bihi administration, describing his arrest as illegal and strongly supporting him. They said his arrest was a violation of the freedom of speech guaranteed by the law.
“Abdimalik is being held for his views and the freedom of speech he expressed, which is a citizen’s right. The constitution also gives him the right to criticize or support something. His arrest is illegal, and we call on those who kidnapped him to release him,” said Justice Minister Yoonis Ahmed Yoonis, who was the Waddani Party’s Justice Secretary two years ago when Coldoon was arrested.
Abdimalik was previously arrested on charges related to defamation and spreading false information that he allegedly committed against the Abaarso School and the Hargeisa Cultural Center. He was convicted and acquitted on those charges.
The conflict between Coldoon and the Somaliland government began in 2017, when he expressed support for the elected Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, while he was a journalist at the time.
