Son of Somaliland Politician Arrested On Terrorism Charges

Healthcare workers in Somaliland treat victims of recent military clashes. The Horn of Africa is a focal point of imperialist intervention., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Somalia: Son of Somaliland Politician Arrested On Terrorism Charges

17 FEBRUARY 2013

Las'anod — Close sources tell GO that Somaliland's UCID political party chairman, Faisal Ali Warabe's son, and a woman were arrested in Las'anod on terrorism charges following an investigation, Garowe Online reports.

Somaliland's UCID political party chairman"Faisal Ali Warabe."

Although it has not been independently verified Chairman Warabe's son who according to sources was from Finland and a woman also from Finland were arrested in Las'anod on Saturday night by Somaliland forces.

Government sources in Hargeisa say that the operation was assisted by foreign security forces. The sources tell GO that the two were affiliated with Al Shabaab and that the two had a connection in recent terrorist attacks in Puntland.

The most recent Al Shabaab attack was of Sheikh Abdiqadir Nur Farah who was shot dead in mosque while in prayer on Friday. Puntland security authorities said that it was too early to comment on the possible link.

Chairman Warabe's son and the woman fled Hargeisa and were attempting to flee Las'anod before they were caught.

"The man arrested is my son; I and the Minister of Interior are following the arrest of the two people. I don't know where they were headed but I want a full investigation so we can find out," said Chairman Warabe who spoke to Somali media on Sunday.

Minister of Interior Nur Arale who spoke at Somaliland parliament on Saturday gave a report on the self-declared independent country's security, and the need for improving security operations with "neighboring countries".

"We need to strengthen security operations with neighboring countries seeing as there are terror threats in and around borders," said Minister Arale at parliament.

Puntland President Abdirahaman Mohamed Farole has gone on record many times requesting that Somaliland coordinate their efforts with Puntland to fight Al Shabaab in and around the Golis Mountains and other areas.

Chairman Warabe was one of the first Somaliland officials to reject this request adding that Somaliland didn't want anything to do with Puntland.

Puntland officials have stated that Somaliland needs to do more to fight Al Shabaab on their soil and has accused some Somaliland residents of harboring terrorists.

Britain late last month warned its nationals living in Somaliland of a "specific threat in Somaliland". The British Foreign office issued a statement telling its nationals to leave Somaliland as soon as possible.

"We are now aware of a specific threat to Westerners in Somaliland, and urge any British nationals who remain there against our advice to leave immediately," read the statement.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia, is a former British protectorate that unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the country in 1991 but has not been internationally recognized.