Somalia: Jareerweyme sign motion demanding justice, but face discrimination in Parliament

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Somalia: Jareerweyme sign motion demanding justice, but face discrimination in Parliament

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Lawmakers from the marginalized Jareer Weyne (Bantu) community have submitted an urgent motion to the Somali Federal Parliament's Lower House last month, but the motion never made its way to the agenda due to systematic

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MP Dahabo Suusow representing the Somali Bantu addresses media on Saturday

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Lawmakers from the marginalized Jareer Weyne (Bantu) community have submitted an urgent motion to the Somali Federal Parliament's Lower House last month, but the motion never made its way to the agenda due to systematic discrimination in the Parliament, the MPs have announced. Their motion seeks to address the illegal detention and attack on the residence of army general Sheegow Ahmed in August, which tragically claimed the lives of several security guards.

General Sheegow, a respected member of the Bantu clans, currently languishes in incommunicado detention without any formal charges or a fair court hearing.

MP Dahabo Suusow, who represents the Bantu community, disclosed that 40 dedicated lawmakers signed the motion on August 30th. However, Speaker Adan Madobe has yet to table it in the House of the People, leaving them feeling frustrated and unheard.

"The Speaker is refusing to table our motion and put it on the agenda,” Suusow lamented on Saturday.

"There is no justice at all. This is clear discrimination; 40 MPs have signed a motion that cannot make it onto the agenda. This underscores the discrimination and injustices we continue to face,” she asserted passionately while addressing local media outlets.

Suusow went on to express her dismay at the ongoing racial and systematic abuses faced by the Bantu minority groups, directly implicating the Speaker of the Federal Parliament in perpetuating this discrimination.

"We say there is injustice in the parliament; there is no law. If there was a law, he would have brought our motion forward,” she emphasized.

With the Somali parliament preparing for its annual recess, all parliamentary sittings will come to a halt by September 15th, rendering the Bantu MPs’ motion seemingly worthless.

Former deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Omar Dalha, himself a member of the Bantu community, has publicly criticized Speaker Adan Madobe for obstructing the motion put forth by his fellow Bantu lawmakers.

MP Dahabo Susow shed light on the grim situation of General Sheegow, revealing that he is enduring inhumane conditions and isn’t even allowed to communicate with his family.

"Two of his relatives were detained just for attempting to visit General Sheegow in detention. One of them is accused of giving his phone to General Sheegow,” she revealed, highlighting the distressing consequences of seeking justice.

General Sheegow, a courageous Bantu army officer, was apprehended on August 18th after armed members of the Mogadishu police and national intelligence forces, primarily from the Hawiye clans, stormed his residence. This led to a violent confrontation resulting in the tragic loss of several of his guards. He was accused of committing crimes without formal charges being filed.

The detention and treatment of General Sheegow raise serious questions about the violation of laws and due process.

Sheegow’s recent transfer to Mogadishu central prison has further alarmed legal experts, as he was sent there without being presented before a court or facing formal charges.

The Jareerweyne community continues to rally for justice, with various street protests and some violently disrupted in their determination to ensure that their brave army general receives a fair and just resolution to this troubling situation.