By: Yusuf M Hasan
Las Anod (Somalilandsun) – A civic leader has resigned in protest against his arrest on corruption.
Councillor Keyse Mohamed Haji Hussein has officially resigned as the Mayor of Las anod local council in what he termed as a protest against his arrest on corruption that was effected by the Sool regional governor.
The mayor of Las anod and his deputy were put in detention at the town’s central police station on the 18th July 2012on orders of the Sool regional governor Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ali ‘Jiinyare’ who claimed that his arrest authority emanated from the minister of interior in Hargeisa Hon Mohamed Nuur Arale ‘Duur’.
During a press briefing in his house at Las anod town following his arrest the mayor said that he and his deputy were not guilty of corruption as alleged by governor Jiinyare but are being persecuted on motives related to local politics.
“Though I have resigned I challenge the governor to table proof of my alleged maladministration” Said former Mayor Keyse.
The resigning mayor, who thanked the people of Las anod for all the support accorded him during his tenure as city father, informed that he will no longer pursue public office.
The arrest of the mayor and his deputy by the governor and subsequent resignation comes in the heels of the confiscation of an assortment of medical supplies meant for Taleeh district hospital by Governor Jiinyare.
At the same time, this is a landmark action as it is the first time for corruption allegations to be made against public officials in Sool region especially the town of Las anod the capital city of the region which notorious for civil servant assassinations.
