“It is very unbecoming to equate Silanyo with Siyad Barre” Ukuse
By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The government is determined to ensure national security.
According to the deputy information minister Abdilahi Mohamed Dahir ‘Ukuse’ the lack of a national intelligence service is major detriment to ensuring that security agencies are in full control.
During a press conference in his offices Hon Ukuse who was reacting to accusations by Dr Mohamed Abdi Gaboose that the proposed National Security Service is a gimmick for the government to muzzle civil liberties, said no country can survive without proper intelligence collection apparatus.
The deputy information minister also asked Dr Gaboose to stop using attacks on the government as a vote seeking strategy for his UMADDA party during this local council election campaigns.
Dr Gaboose who is one of the fiercest opponents of the government launched his scathing attacks on the NIS during a function commemorating the national Press Freedom day at a Hargeisa hotel where he urged the head of state not to sign the draft law which he equated to the Siyad Barre National Security Service-NSS
Said he, the government of President Silanyo is set on taking the liberties of Somalilanders away for reasons not yet known. These liberties which came the hard way, through the barrel of the gun, deaths, maiming and destructions of livelihoods and property are under threat from the proposed National Intelligence Service-NIS.
While informing that the intelligence service law has already been approved by both chambers of parliament Hon Ukuse informed that reasons behind the new body are as a result of the imperative need for the government to be on top national security.
Said he, “how can the police, CID or army operate effectively without intelligence on potential threats to the country?’
Ukuse who wondered why Dr Gaboose was against the new intelligence considering that he, Gaboose, initiated its establishment when he was interior minister asked citizens not to be misled by politicians seeking votes during the council elections to be held on the 28th of this month.
He further termed Dr Gaboose as in great era for equating president Silanyo and the late dictator Siyad Barre, “If we play back the praises heaped on president Silanyo by Dr Gaboose in the past couple of years as well as his current attacks, we shall all be surprised”
The proposed which NIS is awaiting presidential signature has also received condemnations from a number of leaders notably Feisal Ali Warabe of UCID party and Ismail Ali Osman of Dalsan party.
