Presidential Decree: 08/12/2021

The President of the Republic of Somaliland has issued Presidential Decree No. Lr. 16/122021, prohibiting participation in Somalia’s Politics.

We set out the Presidential Decree as follows:-  

Presidential Decree Lr.  16/122021

Prohibition of Political Participation in Somalia

Having Seen: Resolution of the two Houses (Senate and House of Representatives) JSL / GB / O1 / 10/2003, dated 11/10/2003, aimed at banning political participation in Somalia;

Having Seen: Presidential Decree No: 213/2003 dated 29/10/2003 announcing the joint resolution of the Parliament and the House of Representatives;

Having Seen: The constitutional duty of every citizen is to strengthen the unity of the nation, protect the existence of the state and defend the country and the religion in accordance with the law, in accordance with Article 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland;

Now Convinced: That it is a crime of national treason against the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Somaliland to participate in the political activities of Somalia banned by the decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Somaliland;

I Decided:

1.Every citizen of the Republic of Somaliland, be it a government official, a citizen, an association, a political party, a scholar, a traditional leader and any other segments of society who participate in Somali politics, which have been banned by the decision of the House of Republics and the Parliament of the Republic of Somaliland, shall be charged with treason, in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Decree of the two Houses.

2. Only the Government may participate in the meetings between Somaliland and Somalia, which are deemed to be in its interest and do not contradict the existence of the Sovereignty and the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, in accordance with the Resolution of the two Houses marked GB / G / 01/02/2012, dated 05/02/2012.

3. Any person who willingly participates in the political affairs of Somalia which has been banned by the two Houses shall not be pardoned until such a person is brought before a competent Court and sentenced.

4. All relevant security agencies must implement the decision of the two Houses and bring the perpetrators to justice, in order to strengthen the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Somaliland.