The Puntland administration has banned political gatherings or meetings in Garowe without official government approval, with a special warning being sent to opposition politicians who are not members of registered political parties in Puntland.
The decision was made by the Nugaal Regional Security Committee after a meeting in Garowe yesterday. The move comes days after an opposition council called the Justice and Democracy Council was announced in Garowe, which is said to stand for the protection of citizens’ rights and accountability of the administration.
The mayor of Garowe, Geeddi Ahmed Tuurre, who spoke on the matter, said that they would not accept anyone who tries to carry out actions that could undermine the stability and order of the city. “We will take action against any action that could disrupt the security and order of Garowe,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians have strongly opposed the decision, describing it as a reflection of the Puntland administration’s refusal to listen to critics or those with a different perspective from the government.
Former Puntland Finance Minister Hassan Shire Abgaal condemned the Security Committee’s statements, calling them “a move that goes against the Puntland constitution and the principles of statehood”.
“The statements made at today’s meeting in Garowe that it is not possible to hold political meetings in the capital without the government’s consent clearly demonstrate political repression and a violation of constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of assembly and expression,” said Hassan Shire.
He added that the current administration has deviated from the constitutional framework in which Puntland was established, indicating that openness, transparency and respect for citizens’ freedoms are being lost.
