Sunday January 4, 2026
Hargeisa (HOL) — Two lawmakers in Somaliland’s House of Representatives on Saturday accused the government of intimidation and repression in the Awdal region, following reports that a young man was arrested for raising a Palestinian flag amid celebrations over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
MP Mohamed Abiib and MP Maydhane said the arrest involved a youth from Borama, Awdal’s main city, who was detained after displaying the Palestinian flag, while others openly waved Israeli flags in public celebrations after Israel announced it recognized Somaliland.
“There is no law that criminalizes raising the Palestinian flag,” Maydhane said. “Freedom of speech is protected under the Somaliland Constitution.”
The lawmakers described Borama as a historically peaceful city and accused the authorities of creating insecurity through what they said were politically motivated arrests. They said the actions risk inflaming tensions in a region that has long complained of marginalization within Somaliland’s political system.
Abiib and Maydhane also accused the government of failing to ensure equitable power-sharing among Somaliland’s clans. They warned that continued exclusion of Awdal could have serious consequences.
“There are only two options,” Maydhane said. “Either the people of Awdal receive their fair share of government representation, or they will be forced to reconsider their relationship with Somaliland.”
He added that sacrifices made by people from the region during Somaliland’s struggle must be recognized politically, warning that continued grievances could undermine unity.
In recent days, several people from Awdal, including religious scholars and intellectuals, have been arrested in Hargeisa after publicly criticizing Somaliland’s relationship with Israel, according to multiple sources familiar with the detentions.
Residents and activists say arrests have disproportionately targeted those displaying Palestinian symbols, while individuals waving Israeli flags have not faced similar action. Somaliland authorities have not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland has sparked sharp reactions across Somalia and the wider region, with critics warning it violates international law and could further destabilize the Horn of Africa. Within Somaliland, the move has also exposed internal divisions, particularly in regions that have long questioned political representation and governance under the Hargeisa administration.
