Anybody, who cares about freedom of expression finds tough to swallow that Mr. Silanyo and his government are oppressing people of Somaliland. I heard there is an article in the Somaliland constitution that gives every Somalilander the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 32 of the Somaliland Constitution. Has Mr. Silanyo read this article or has any of his advisors know of this article? I do not think so. How can you deny the freedom of expression of Osman Mohamoud Buurmadow?

President Ahmed Silanyo fought against Siyad Barre for what? Imprisoning people, oppression and killing? What is happening in Somaliland is unacceptable to people of Somaliland and to the world. How can you claim you fought for freedom when you are oppressing people from your own tribe, who dared to criticise you.  Mr. President you got the wrong people around you and your advisors do not understand the Islamic right of freedom or western democracy. Mr. Silanyo you studied in Britain and enjoyed the same amount of freedom that we enjoy today. Have you not learned from the judiciary system, the rights you enjoyed when you were here last?

The power has changed you Mr. President because, I never expected to see these things under your presidency and you have broken the hearts of many Somalilander. Many Somalilanders expected that you will respect freedom of speech better than the former president Mr. Dahir Rayale but, you let us down.

As long as Mr. Buurmadow and others are behind bars because of speeches they made rather than actions they took. These kinds of imprisonment will be a black spot on your conscience.

We want to drive Somaliland forward not backwards in 21^st century. Let us build a government that respects freedom of speech and only imprisons those, who are threat to the peace of Somaliland. Mr. President you want multiparty systems at the same time you cannot take criticism how does that work? Are you going to arrest the leaders of all the new parties?

Let us use our energy for helping those people, who are starving of the droughts in west of Somaliland. Let us strengthen our government institutions and think about how to provide resources. We are still a young nation and need to grow and think about job creation and public infrastructure. Let us put our minds and energy together to drive this nation forward and build a judiciary system that is just and fair for every somalilander.

Mr. President surround yourself with the right people, who are educated and understand how mature western democracies work. You need to learn from the governments, who are more developed than Somaliland in terms of governance, economy and development.

I hope that you will release this innocent man and wipe off the black spot in your conscience.

 Omar F Abdilahi

Omar.farah@hotmail.co.uk