Press release - Somali Diaspora Leadership Forum

Immediate Press release…                                                           2/20/2010

Somali Diaspora Leadership Forum, ahabib.SDLFpublicrelations@gmail.com

The Somali Diaspora Leadership Forum strongly urges the Silanyo Regime to heed calls for ceasing its bombardment on Kalshaale, Buuhoodle and LaasAnood.

The current bloody conflict on the northern border between Somaliland and Puntland has resulted in the loss of many innocent lives on both sides and damaged thousands of people. The Somali Diaspora Leadership Forum strongly urges the Silanyo Regime to heed calls for ceasing its bombardment on Kalshaale, Buuhoodle and LaasAnood.

We the Somali Diaspora leadership Forum condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal & mass murdering of Silanyo Regime to the citizens of Kalshaale, Buuhoodle, and LaasAnood. Violence against citizens of those cities and people deemed to be from that region must cease forthwith.

Such killings, intimidations and brutality constitute grave violations of international law, human rights, and are contrary to good neighborly relations.

Somali Diaspora Leadership Forum shares the pain and difficulties in light of the tragic results of Somaliland attacks on Kalshaale, Buuhoodle ,LaasAnood and its harmful effects on the citizens of those cities.

There is no doubt that the people of that region have the right and the obligation to defend the lives of their citizens.

SDLF urges the Puntland Government to take immediate steps to protect and ensure right to life to all its citizens and prevent such killings of its public. Rallies alone will not end the war in Kalshaale, Buuhoodle and LaasAnood, to prevent arbitrary repression in those cities. Puntland Government must be supplemented by every possible means of influence even if it means military means; however must exhibit a certain degree of proportionality and avoid harming civilians and civilian infrastructure.

There simply is no justification for the bigoted policies practiced by the Silanyo Regime to maintain a state coercion. 

“Finally, we urge all members of the Somali community to speak out more fervently against any group that uses intimidation to be honored”

ENDS….