Puntland authorities ban political meetings

The Puntland regional government recently banned political meetings until June 2001, the region’s local newspaper ‘Kaaha Bari’ said. In a circular dated 17 February, the director-general for international relations Ahmad M. Egal said that “political activities had been banned until June 2001, when the two-year transition period ends”. The circular said the move was taken to avert civil war, social unrest and to “ensure that law and order is maintained in Puntland”. It warned that workshops and seminars meant to discuss social development should not be turned into political forums. Organisers of workshops and seminars were further required to submit to the relevant authorities a list of items they wished to discuss 15 days in advance.