Somaliland: 132 inmates in Hargeisa Central Prison graduate from Beder University

By Mohamoud Walaleeye

Hargeisa- 132 inmates in Hargeisa Central Prison have graduated and completed their studies in a pioneering milestone feat, In collaboration with Ministry of Justice and Beder International University.

The President of Beder University, Prof. Mubarik Ibrahim Aar who addressed the gathering said that the education program is collaboration between the university and the government of Somaliland hence commended the President Muse Bihi.

These students are graduating at several levels, some with post graduate diplomas, others with vocational skills, and others on basic reading, writing, arithmetic and Arabic, (basic education), & Arabic at diploma level, while others studying basic sharia law.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commander of Custodial Corps Brigadier General Ahmed Awale Yusuf said he was happy to attend the graduation which would go down well in history with Beder University implementing it.

The chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Mohamed Barud Ali, said it was gratifying that while in prison one had the right to an education that is entitled to, hence hard work must be done.

Education Minister Ahmed Mohamed Diriye commended the inmate students for recognizing the opportunity to study at Beder University.

“As the Ministry of Education we will build rehabilitation centers and prepare everything for the future”, he said.

The Minister of Religious Affairs Sheikh Khalil commended graduate inmates, who are confined for various misdemeanours.

The Minister of Justice, Mustafa Mohamed Ali, speaking at the ceremony, underlined that they would work to ensure perpetual continuation of such education such that it would be extended to all prisons in the country.

“We promise as ministry of justice to advocate for pardoning, all graduates and those who have depicted rehabilitative conduct as per constitution”, said the minister.

“The message I am conveying here today is that everyone who believes that there is injustice in prison, or people are being persecuted, to witness the ceremony of the graduating prisoners”, added the minister.

Graduates who spoke at the ceremony said they were grateful to Beder University, congratulating their selves, as they took advantage to study, rather than just sitting around in the prison.

“I am thankful to the President Musa who when he was elected promised to increase the knowledge of the prisoners, and it seems that from that time to this day he has been on the minds of the prisoners”, said a graduating prisoner, while adding that, “I was a confused prisoner, but when I started studying I felt like free man”.

In January 2019, Ministry of Justice singed memorandum of understand with Beder International University on facility the education service in Somaliland prisons for the purpose to educate and reform convicted prisoners to reduce crime and recidivism.