Former foreign minister calls for poet Jiheye’s immediate release and warns Somaliland cannot seek democratic recognition abroad while restricting freedoms at home
WASHINGTON / HARGEISA — Former Somaliland Foreign Minister and current MP Dr. Esse Kayd has called for the immediate release of detained poet Jiheye, warning that Somaliland risks weakening its international democratic credentials if political expression is suppressed at home while the government campaigns for recognition abroad.
Speaking exclusively to WARYATV from Washington, Dr. Kayd addressed President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro’s U.S. visit, political conditions in the HAWD region and the detention of Jiheye.
‘Washington Is Watching What Happens in Hargeisa’
Asked about President Irro’s diplomatic mission to the United States, Dr. Kayd welcomed stronger engagement between Washington and Hargeisa but said foreign policy cannot be separated from domestic governance.
“You cannot convincingly advocate for democratic recognition in Washington while suppressing fundamental freedoms in Hargeisa.”
He said Somaliland’s diplomatic strength ultimately depends on demonstrating constitutional government, political stability, judicial independence and respect for civil liberties.
The remarks come as President Irro seeks deeper U.S. cooperation on recognition, security, investment and economic relations.
Kayd: Release Poet Jiheye Immediately
Dr. Kayd was unequivocal when asked about poet Jiheye, who was detained after delivering a televised poem critical of President Irro.
“I am calling for the immediate and unconditional release of poet Jiheye.”
He argued that poets have historically occupied a unique position in Somali society as critics of authority and voices of public conscience.
“Whether one agrees or disagrees with the tone or severity of his verses, arresting a cultural figure for political expression is a regressive move that damages our democratic reputation.”
Kayd warned that using state security institutions against political speech would establish a dangerous precedent.
“Freedom of expression is not a government concession,” he said. “It is a constitutional right and the bedrock of our republic.”
HAWD ‘Cannot Be Treated as Secondary’
Turning to his constituency Maroodijeex and Hawd, Dr. Kayd said the HAWD region remains essential to Somaliland’s economy, security and state-building history but has suffered from political fragmentation and insufficient attention.
“HAWD and Maroodijeex must be treated with the strategic respect and equity it deserves, rather than being viewed as a secondary political arena.”
He called for stronger institutional investment, unified local leadership and greater accountability from the central government.
Regional stability, Kayd argued, cannot be maintained through symbolic political gestures alone.
WARYATV Assessment
Dr. Isse Kayd’s intervention places a difficult domestic question alongside President Irro’s Washington diplomacy:
Can Somaliland strengthen its argument as a democratic partner abroad while facing criticism over political freedoms at home?
For a government seeking recognition partly on Somaliland’s record of democracy and institutional stability, the treatment of critics, journalists, poets and political opponents is not merely an internal matter.
Washington notices.
And as President Irro presents Somaliland’s democratic credentials to American policymakers, Dr. Kayd’s message is clear: the strongest recognition campaign begins at home.
