In Djibouti, «serious» injuries after clashes in neighborhoods
The Djiboutian Arhiba neighborhood returned to calm on Saturday, November 2, after two days of clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Young people from the neighborhood, who had mobilized after the arrest Thursday of one of their own by intelligence services, have returned home, but continue to demand the release of…
The Djiboutian Arhiba neighborhood returned to calm on Saturday, November 2, after two days of clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Young people from the neighborhood, who had mobilized after the arrest Thursday of one of their own by intelligence services, have returned home, but continue to demand the release of Kako Houmed.
"At my clinic, around fifty people presented themselves with injuries of varying severity. I kept about fifteen people under observation until around midnight," recounts Dr. Abatte Ebo Adou. "These were not live rounds that I saw, but rubber bullets that we found in different parts of the injured people's bodies."
"And what I observed," he continues, "is that most of the injured were wounded above the waist. The head, the chest, the shoulders, the belly, etc., and sometimes there were also people wounded by multiple bullets. The injuries were serious. Our center was open to everyone and all these treatments we provided, because we are obliged to render assistance to people in danger."
For Houmed Daoud, spokesman for the Union for the Presidential Majority Abroad, "justice must take its course" to clarify the case of young Kako Houmed, arrested Thursday, October 31. "One thing is certain: the police authorities in Djibouti have sufficiently compelling evidence and it will once again be up to justice to decide. In the meantime, let us remain calm, let the police and justice do their work," he argues.
Detainees normally do not have the right to visits, for the protection of the investigation. But Djiboutian justice made a concession and allowed a few family members to visit this person who was arrested, to attest firsthand that they are in good health and are being well treated. The investigation is proceeding normally and I believe that the Djiboutian judicial and police authorities will do an extraordinarily good job. And contrary to what opposition members may say here and there, who cry scandal, this is a suspect or perpetrator of criminal acts: it is normal that someone is arrested, that they are questioned and, if necessary, brought before justice.
For the spokesman of the Union for the Presidential Majority Abroad, Houmed Daoud calls for caution
