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Deeq A.

Somaliland: Are The Police Force Losing Control & Becoming Oppressors?

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Deeq A.   

 

 

Somaliland: Are The Police Force Losing Control & Becoming Oppressors?

We will never accuse all the members of the Somaliland Police Force of being ill-trained, out of control brutes, because for every few bad apples, there are countless others doing their work diligently and serving the public.

But, there is no smoke without fire. The recent actions by some members of the Somaliland Police Force, as the pictures below indicate, have tainted the image of the force. From dire conditions in many of the police divisions and stations in the country with regard to people in custody, corruption, physical abuse and other malfeasance, and all of this despite extensive training from both public and private organisations. So, what ails the Somaliland Police Force?

It all starts at the top. If the chain of command is unable to make changes to or discipline the officers walking the beat and manning the stations, then it is time for a change at the top.

Major General Abdillahi Fadal Iman has been commissioner for more than a decade. The commissioner is a dedicated servant of the republic, but has he been too long in place? Has he become complacent and out of touch? Does he have what it takes to improve the conduct of his officers? His deputy, Abdirahman Liban Fohle, another dedicated public servant, has also been in place just as long. Is he also out of touch? A new generation of younger and more active officers are now in the force, is it time for them to take charge?

The actions of certain officers in contravention of police guidelines need to be addressed and remedied. Police Officers are public servants. They are there to help and protect the population, they are not there to harass women and children, or beat up journalists. It is time to root out those unfit to be law enforcement officers and make changes at the top.

The Somaliland Police Force needs an inspector general to investigate police conduct and monitor their training and education. Somaliland prides itself on being a democratic and stable country, but if our law enforcement officers consider themselves to be above the law, then that pride is hollow.

Wa Bilaahi Towfiq.

Ahmed Kheyre

Qaran News

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