HARGEISA (KAAB TV) — On Monday, MP Mohamed Abiib was released from Mandhera Prison after being detained for a month under the orders of the Somaliland presidency.
The release was confirmed by the prison’s head and followed a ruling by Somaliland’s Constitutional Supreme Court, which deemed Abiib’s detention illegal.
The court ordered his immediate release, highlighting concerns over the legal grounds for his arrest.
Abiib, an outspoken opposition MP from the Awdal region, was detained on 2 September shortly after returning from Dubai, UAE, with no formal charges filed against him.
His detention had sparked controversy, especially given his vocal opposition to the current administration.
Last week, Abdirahman Irro, leader of the Waddani opposition party and a presidential candidate, condemned Abiib’s continued detention, demanding his immediate release.
Abiib’s arrest comes at a sensitive time for Somaliland, which is gearing up for its parliamentary and presidential elections next month.
His detention raised concerns about the increasing clampdown on freedom of expression and political opposition ahead of the vote.
Human rights groups have warned that such actions could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections.
Earlier, the Somaliland Attorney General had requested that the House of Representatives strip Abiib of his parliamentary immunity, accusing him of meeting with officials from Somalia and Djibouti and criticizing Somaliland’s involvement in the Las Anod conflict.
The House rejected the request, maintaining Abiib’s immunity.
The conflict in Las Anod last year between Somaliland forces and local Dhulbahante fighters resulted in heavy civilian casualties, and the Attorney General’s allegations hinted at a possible link between Abiib’s public comments on the issue and his detention.
However, no official connection has been confirmed.
Further complicating matters, Abiib’s home region of Awdal has been at the center of a contentious agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia, which grants Ethiopia 20 square kilometers of land for a military base.
This memorandum of understanding has faced strong opposition from the Somali federal government and has added to the political tensions surrounding Abiib’s arrest.