Twelve politicians from opposition parties were released from Mandheere Prison in Hargeisa on Tuesday after a mediation committee and members of the house of elders met with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.
Police arrested the released politicians on June 9 during an anti-government protest in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
One of the politicians freed from prison, Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir (Cukuse), a member of the Waddani opposition party, praised the mediation committee and suggested that the country’s police force must be reformed.
“They had been good to us regarding food and health and hygiene, and the officials in charge are highly educated men.” He stated that the correctional officers were men familiar with the law and the government.
“Our arrest wasn’t a big problem, but the biggest issue right now is the electoral controversy, and educated people need to be involved in finding a solution.
Following a meeting in Hargeisa on Tuesday, the self-appointed mediation committee arbitrating between the government and the opposition groups and members of Somaliland’s House of elders agreed to free all detained opposition figures.
