Speaking at a meeting in Las Anod town, where over a hundred locals gathered, mainly parents and relatives of the alleged young detainees, they called on Somaliland to free their children.

They expressed concerns over the health conditions of their minors who are held in Madera detention centre run by Somaliland administration in northern Somalia.

Amina Ali Hajji Adan, a mother of a young boy held in Madera said her son was illegally detained. She called on human rights watchdogs and locals in the region to act against Somaliland’s violations against their loved ones.

Locals say some of the detainees are underage children who were illegally detained by Somaliland administration, adding that their health situation has been deteriorating day after the other inside their detention camp.

Somaliland police rounded up these alleged minors on March7, 2012 following a pro-Khatumo II demonstration that was held in the town.