The men were rounded up by Somaliland police after violent protests rocked the regional capital Hargeisa over the weekend. Protestors burned tires and fought police, leading to a confrontation where at least 3 protestors were killed.
The 40 men were sentenced to serve six-month jail terms by a "security committe" in Hargeisa without the due process of law, judicial sources in Hargeisa said.
A statement issued by Kulmiye opposition party called on President Dahir Riyale to release the 40 men from jail.
"Somaliland security forces have began a campaign to arrest hundreds of people...Those sentenced people were not brought to a court of law or provided defense lawyers," read Kulmiye party's Somali-language press release.
The violent riots of September 12 in Hargeisa marked the growing public frustration with the administration of President Riyale, who has been in office since 2003 and has delayed presidential elections three times.
Located in northwest Somalia, Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally.