Unjust Detention of Renowned Marine Scientist Raises Concerns in Somaliland

In a disconcerting turn of events, Somali-Australian Professor Abdirahman Jama Kulmiye, a distinguished marine scientist and former Puntland State Minister of Fishing, finds himself unjustly incarcerated in Somaliland. The accusations against him, propagated by a Somaliland communal militia aka NIA Twitter account, allege his affiliation with the Federal Government of Somalia's National Intelligence Agency (NISA) and involvement in operations against Somaliland.

Our reputable source, unequivocally asserts Professor Kulmiye's innocence, dismissing the accusations as baseless fabrications lacking any substantive merit. His imprisonment is decried as tantamount to kidnapping, further exacerbated by the revelation that he was targeted individually by Somaliland communal militia upon his visit to Hargeisa as part of a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) team.

Prominent figures, including Abdullahi Mohamoud Ali, have voiced their support for Professor Kulmiye, highlighting his expertise as a fisheries specialist with a Ph.D. in the field. Ali, who previously engaged Dr. Kulmiye for fisheries research, emphasized his significant contributions and called for his release, emphasizing that being Majeerteen or serving as a state minister for fisheries in Puntland should not be deemed criminal.

Additionally, Dr. Kulmiye's current role as a consultant for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and his Australian citizenship, which contributes to Somalia's financial inflow, underscore the absurdity of the allegations against him. Ali urged authorities to recognize the reality of Dr. Kulmiye's situation and advocated for his immediate release, proposing that the professor could even share his expertise on fisheries through a lecture.

The apprehension of Professor Abdirahman Jama Kulmiye is not merely an isolated incident; rather, it raises concerns about the potential escalation of clan-based retaliatory kidnappings. As Ali pointed out, initiating such a "dirty game" could lead to a dangerous cycle where every clan becomes a target for retaliation, further destabilizing the region.

In the interest of justice and international norms, the call to #FreeDrKulmiye resonates not only as a plea for one individual's release but also as a stand against arbitrary detentions and the potential repercussions that may ensue. The international community is urged to closely monitor the situation and advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Abdirahman Jama Kulmiye.

This article is published and endorsed by the writer's viewpoint, Professor Abdullahi Mohamoud Ali.