By M.A. Egge
The Somaliland government has strongly condemned the massacre committed by Liyu police forces in the Da’awalay area of the Somali regional state of Ethiopia.
The Somaliland government on Wednesday said that it had discussed the matter with the Ethiopian Federal Government and that the governments of Somaliland and Ethiopia will meet on Thursday.
A press release issued by the Somaliland Ministry of Internal Security, notably condemned the fighting that claimed the lives of civilians in Da’awalay area on consecutive days and at the same time the kidnapped and took hostage traditional leaders hailing from Somaliland who went to the hotspot as peaceful emissaries with the knowledge of the concerned area’s local and regional administration.
“The Minister of Internal Security of the Republic of Somaliland, Hon. Abdalle Mohamed Arab, who is responsible for national security of the Republic of Somaliland, speaking on behalf of the Government, condemns the massacre committed by the Liyuu Police in the Dacawaley area of the Somali State Administration of Ethiopia, who committed a massacre of pastoralist civilians, which is against basic human rights and the rule of law.
“On the other hand, the Liyuu Police kidnapped traditional leaders from Somaliland in the Da’awaley area, who went there peace emissaries out to curtail and end the conflict that occurred there in recent days; all these (mass murder of civilians and taking of hostages) are tantamount to clear violation of both basic human rights and governance procedures.
“The Minister of Internal Security of the Republic of Somaliland strongly condemns the heinous acts committed by the Liyuu Police in the Somali Administration of Ethiopia in the Da’awaley area, who committed widespread massacres, and they will bear the responsibility for it”.
Meanwhile, the government of the Republic of Somaliland has contacted the Federal Government of Ethiopia, which both peace, political and bilateral relations, had shared with them the atrocities perpetrated by the Liyuu police hence are scheduled to meet at the frontier border town of Togwajale and delve into the matter.