By Liban Ahmad
Lasanod district authorities have introduced a new policy that will oblige Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the district to pay US$20 to be able to live in Lasanod temporarily . According to SBC TV, the Immigration Department branch in Lasanod ordered IDPs from southern Somalia to pay temporary residence permit fees. According to one of the IDPs interviewed in front of the branch office, ‘ each Internally Displaced Person was ordered to pay US$20 to be issued a temporary residence permit. Some of us are penniless.The branch officers rejected identity papers issued to us by the Lasanod Mayor. They instructed us to bring a local who would be our kafeel ( sponsor)’.
Another displaced person said Lasanod authorities introduced similar policies in the past, and asked for an end to ‘this policy of discrimination’. The extent of deprivation experienced by some IDPs in Lasanod is reflected in the following statement by a Somali Maay-speaking IDP: ‘I did not have breakfast this morning because I am broke and yet authorities demand US$20 from me to be issued a residence permit’.
Somaliland authorities in Lasanod are in violation of rights of Somali IDPs . It is illegal to impose temporary residence fees on citizens from another part of the country. IDPs from southern Somalia have come to the Sool and other regions under Somaliland government with skills, and are as law-abiding as locals.
By adopting the policy framework on internal displacement Somaliland government will be able to take its obligation to protect rights of IDPs seriously.
Liban Ahmad
Email:libahm@icloud.com
Email:libahm@icloud.com