BBC MONITORING
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS: SOMALIA: PUNTLAND AUTHORITIES BAN POLITICAL MEETINGS UNTIL JUNE
2001
99% match; BBC Monitoring Service -
United Kingdom ; 25-Feb-2000 12:00:00 am ; 133 words
Text of report by Somali Puntland newspaper `Kaaha Bari' on 25th February
The Puntland regional government [northeastern Somalia]
has banned political meetings until June 2001.
In a circular dated 17th February 2000 and addressed to all foreign aid agencies, local
NGOs, regional governors, the office of the president and all ministries, Ahmad M. Egal,
the director-general for international relations, said that political activities had been
banned until June 2001, when the two-year transition period ends.
The circular says the move has been taken to avert civil war, social unrest and to
ensure that law and order is maintained in Puntland. It adds that workshops and seminars
meant to discuss social development should not be turned into political forums.
Organizers of workshops are required to submit to the relevant authorities a list of
items they wish to discuss 15 days before such workshops or seminars are held.
Source: `Kaaha Bari', Boosaaso, in Somali 25 Feb 00 p 6