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Somalia: Even weddings need govt approval, says Puntland official.
Thursday Nov. 15, 2006
8:30 AM
By garoweonline.com
GALKAYO, The finance minister of the Puntland regional government has said that "meetings without government approval" cannot be held in Bossaso, the commercial capital of the region.
Minister Mohamed Ali “Gaagaab”, who is also chairman of the Bari and Karkar Regions Security Committee, made the comments while speaking to local media on Wednesday.
“Even a wedding cannot be held without the Committee's authorization,” said Minister Gaagaab.
He cited security concerns as the reason for the Committee's decision.
Minister Gaagaab further stated that the regional Security Committees, which President Mohamud “Adde” Muse recently appointed, are “powerful” and will enforce the law.
Amongst other civil liberties, Article 37 of the signed Puntland Charter of 1998 permits any citizen the right to "hold meetings and peaceful demonstrations."
The Puntland minister's comments coincide with the recent upsurge of Islamic court declarations in parts of the Puntland regions.
Most recently, some 80 militia fighters belonging to a Puntland-based Islamic court arrived in Islamist-held areas of Mudug region in central Somalia to reinforce the Islamist militia already facing off an amalgation of forces, including Puntland and Ethiopian troops. |
