Somaliland: Rival Clans Re-Arming In Gabiley

[Cowke]

SOMALIA: Rival clans "re-arming" over Somaliland farm

 

Officials are warning renewed fighting is likely between two rival clans in breakaway Somaliland, where they are reported to have amassed a large number of weapons and positioned hundreds of militiamen near disputed farmland in Gabiley region.

 

"We are afraid new conflict could break out any time," a police officer, who requested anonymity, told IRIN, adding that the clans had at least 1,000 militiamen, armed with automatic rifles such as AK47 rifles and BKM handguns, in or near the Elberdale farmland area.

 

The dispute over the farmland dates back to the 1950s with the two clans - the Reer Nour and Reer Hared - each claiming ownership.

 

Since the beginning of 2009, they have fought at least four times: in April, May, July and September, resulting in 19 deaths and several hundred families displaced.

 

Dahir Muhumed Eggeh, one of the Reer Hared militiamen, said a farming project, established in the late 1950s, was at the centre of the conflict, which came to a head in 1988. The clans fought on opposite sides of the 1981-1991 war between the Somali National Movement (Somaliland's liberation organization) and the army, which was loyal to then Somali president, the late Mohamed Siad Barre. The Reer Nour supported Barre while Reer Hared supported the SNM.

 

Aw Hassan Diiriye Elmi, a former chairman of Gabiley District, said: "This conflict is linked to the repercussions of [actions by] Siad Barre, who tried to remove one of the clans from their land... we came back to the country from refugee camps to find new signs put up by our neighbours, who have since tried to take away our lands."

 

With the two clans arming militiamen, the price of handguns and other light weapons has gone up.

 

"Before [in 2008], light weapons, such as a Kalashnikov, cost US$370-400, but now it goes for between $650 and $700," one of the militia leaders in Elberdale said.

 

Weapons smuggling

 

The militia leader, who requested anonymity, said: "There are two routes for weapons to enter Somaliland - crossing from Bosasso [in Puntland] to the eastern regions of Somaliland, and from the west, especially the area between Zaila and Lughaya at a place called Sanka Doonyaha, where fast boats load weapons at night."

 

Abdillahi Omar Qawdhan, a Somaliland coast guard consultant and marine expert, told IRIN: "We have information that illegal small arms are smuggled to parts of the Somaliland coast but what we know is that small-calibre ammunition is imported to the west coast in sacks by the Yemeni boats that import fuel and other items to the west coast ports such as Cel-Sheik, Bula-Har, Bulo-Addo and Zaila.

 

"We have information that even small arms such as the BKM and bullets are being imported by local businessmen. Weapons destined for Ethiopia as well as Somalia have been smuggled to these places.

 

"Since the beginning of 2009, we have recovered more than 300 pistols [smuggled in] from Yemen in the eastern Berbera [sahil region]," he said.

 

However, Mohamed Osman Hudhun, Somaliland's western coast army chief, disputed this, saying: "There are no weapons imported into the western coast because I am from this area and every single incident is reported to me."

 

Source: irinnews.org

[Cowke]

Oodhweyne either your naive or just trying to save face regarding the ensuing disaster over gabiley.

 

It takes one small incident of civil un-rest to lead to the calamity of a civil war. You know my friend with all your posh english, it fathoms me to disbelief that you have no clue how instability can lead to an ensuing disaster.

 

Civil wars always start with societal un-rest or over skermishes which lead to an ensuing inferno.

 

This situation in gabiley no matter how many peace-assemblies you have has not solved the issue and it seems like it's round 4 again.

 

As far as your political situation are concerned, can't you see their non-existant? The police are crapping their pants in gabiley as the reports suggest. If their were strong institution as you claim the police officer in this report piece wouldn't be frightened but would rely upon the institution in place to deal with the situation if the case arises. However the case seems to be their are no institutions at all or at the very least their weak institutions and that is why he is scared and that is understandable.

 

The peace-assemblies are incompetent in somaliland, if they can't resolve this issue 3 times how can you have any faith in them is beyond my comprehension.

[Mintid Farayar]

Let's find out how who killed the minister in Galka'ayo first and bring them to justice, then we will work on conflict resolution in Gebiley

 

Crocodile tears for the residents of Gebiley district will get you nowhere, my friend

[Cowke]

Mintid. Attack the issue not point the finger somewhere else.