Puntland has accused the Northeastern Somali government of mishandling Somaliland prisoners held in Lascaanod, with Puntland’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahmoud Aydiid Dirir, saying the prisoners are being held for political and financial gain.
Minister Aydiid said that the prisoners are a source of income, accusing the Northeastern government of taking advantage of funds meant for their care.
“The prisoners are a big cash cow. They are being exploited. The Red Cross gets nine dollars per soldier per day. The government spends several hundred thousand a month on the prisoners, in addition to their medicine. The men are being held as prisoners, not politically,” said Aydiid.
The minister said that instead of investigating the crimes against the prisoners, they are being used for financial gain. He noted that some of the prisoners need to be investigated for their role in the events that took place in Lascaanod.
Aideed specifically mentioned the killings and abuses that occurred during the war, saying that if prisoners are being held for crimes they committed, there needs to be a clear justice process, and the crimes they are being held for and the information held about each person needs to be recorded.
“If prisoners are being tried, they should be tried for the crimes they committed, and the truth should be told,” Aideed said.
The minister also said that some of the prisoners need medical care, especially those with injuries and other illnesses, calling for their health conditions to be monitored closely.
The Northeastern administration is holding hundreds of military prisoners from Somaliland, who were captured during the battle of Lascaanod on August 25, 2023, in which Somaliland forces were expelled from their Gooja Cadde base, after 8 months of fighting in Lascaanod.
The Northeastern administration has linked the release of prisoners or the exchange of prisoners between the two sides to the fact that both sides reach a peace agreement, and that Somaliland renounces its claim to the Sool region.