The minister of the lower states and the development of the cities of the Republic of Somaliland Mr. Hassan Ahmed Ducaale (Hasan Macalin) has said the demonstrations that took place in Burco earlier today had been occassioned by fake news related to the prisoners of war that the president will forgive during the celebrations of 18 May.
“The prisoners to be released on 18 May are already known and they are released every year, and on this occasion the release of those whose prison are shorter, those who haven’t been sentenced for many years and prisoners who are jailed for simple crimes, so every occasion, whether it is 18 May or Ramadan. However, a prisoner of war will not be released by the president’s forgiveness. Everyone knows that and even children know it,” said Minister Hassan Macallin who spoke to some of the Somaliland media.
“Burning a tire won’t help the prisoners in Laascaanood, their responsibility is on the government, how to release them and return them to their homes with the help of God is a task for the government that I am part of. None of the civilians and their relatives are there but I am saying to the people of the relatives to calm down, and maybe the protesters are stirring up people who don’t care about the family and prisoners who have never thought of how to release them,” said Minister Xasan Macallin.
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