A distinguished chief speaks out against Puntland

[Xudeedi]

August 29, 2010

 

 

BOSASO - Sahardid Ali Dhawaq, a prominent chief elder gave his first interview to the BBC Somali service on Galgala and a brief illustration of the demographics of the area.

 

He called for the withdrawal of Puntland armed forces as a pre-condition to a complete ceasefire and the resumption of talks.

 

Sahardiid regretted Puntland Government's arbitrary decision to mount relentless offensive on the region in the midst of an ongoing negotiation.

 

"The area is inhabited by farmers and nomads outside the Galgala district and it's a place the former, legitimate Somali government gave mineral and oil exploration rights to Houston's Conoco and others," explained Sahardid.

 

The Sanaag elders as traditional arbitrators first initiated a fact-finding mission and peace overtures, but their efforts were undercut by Puntland authorities.

 

"Over 700 families have been displaced by the war, farms burned and properties looted" said Sahardid.

 

"We first approached Puntland authorities and urged them not to launch an attack, that they should allow us (the local chiefs and Ulama) to intervene and create an atmosphere of understanding and of mutual interest."

 

The chief also reiterated how he warned of the risky side effects, but the authorities decided to ignore his warning only to use overwhelming force as an antidote to all the municipal problems and insecurity in Bosaso.

 

Bosaso is the economic lifeline of the state and Puntland authorities in the capital town of Garowe fear that they might lose administrative control by letting another power take a firm root in the vicinities.

 

"They were under the false assumption that eliminating Atam means the antidote to the widespread insecurity, to the string of kidnappings and high profile assasinations in Bosaso."

 

"The President's militia instead uprooted over 700 families," Gerad Sahardiid told the BBC news anchor, Mr. Yoonis.

 

The elder pointed to the social contract principle, which created the state of Puntland.

 

He said that the current leaders acted as if they had no regard for the role of Elders in the state.

 

"This theory of governance which Puntland adopted is that the elders have a constitutional right to initiate and engage in peace overtures," Sahardid explained to Mr. Yonis.

 

"When and if the traditional arbitrators exhaust all avenues to peace and decide that it is beyond their capacity to resolve any social or political issue, they then call in the leaders of the state and give them a green light to employ its instrument of coercion."

 

Mr. Sahardid regretted that Puntland authorities acted irresponsibly and without regard to what is advantageous and just.

 

"Such irresponsible behavior of our leaders not only undermines the character-forming aspect of the state but they also expose ulterior motives because Puntland as a political community was founded under the shade of an acacia tree," Sahardiid said.

 

The elder put the onus of any type of solution on the shoulders of President Farole and his Interior Minister when asked what they should do now as a solution to the crisis.

 

"They decided to scrap any meaningful role the Elders could have hitherto played, so they own the crisis and they must pay a dear price for it," Sahardid related to Yonis.

 

"We are asking the international community and international relief agencies for their assistance and to send an emergency team in order to help the needy and the displaced."

 

The displaced families from western Bari region are estimated to be at least 700 families.

 

 

Mohamed Elmi

 

DhaharOnline

[NASSIR]

"This theory of governance which Puntland adopted is that the elders have a constitutional right to initiate and engage in peace overtures," Sahardid explained to Mr. Yonis.

 

"When and if the traditional arbitrators exhaust all avenues to peace and decide that it is beyond their capacity to resolve any social or political issue, they then call in the leaders of the state and give them a green light to employ its instrument of coercion."

Well said, Chief Saxardiid.

[Xudeedi]

^He was still too reserved from other important issues. Nevertheles, great points made by the Elder.

[Thankful]

"The President's militia instead uprooted over 700 families," Gerad Sahardiid told the BBC news anchor, Mr. Yoonis.

 

Qaar ka mid ah dadkii kasoo barakacay degmada Galgala ee gobolka Bari oo soo gaarey Degmada Dhahar ee gobolka Haylaan.

Dhahar (SPR): Dadkii kasoo barakacay dagaaladii deegaanada Galbeedka Bari ayaa waxay qaar kamid ah soo gaareen gobolka Haylaan, gaar ahaan degmada Dhahar. Dadkan ayaa qaar waxay u qaxeen deegaana ka mid ah galbeedka Bari sida Ceeldaahir iyo Af-urur, iyo waliba xarunta gobolka Bari ee magaalada Boosaaso.

 

Degmada Galgala iyo nawaaxigeeda ayaa waxaa ka barakacay dad tiradooda gaaraya 25 kun oo qofood. Dadka soo barakacay qaar kamid ah oo idaacada lasoo xiriirey ayaa waxaa wareystey Wariyaheena qaasta ah Nimco Muuse Cilmi.

 

 

Dhaharonline

 

As General Duke has pointed out,

 

what the actual number? Is the number 700 familes or 25,000 people? The same site has given two vastly different numbers.

 

As well how was the government able to do this so quickly without local support?

[Land_Soldier]

Originally posted by Thankful:

 

As General Duke has pointed out,

 

Who is the real poster now?

[Thankful]

I can't state something that I didn't say first without giving credit to the person who did.

 

General Duke and I may differ on some things but we both want to see Somalia prosper with Puntland leading the way.

[Land_Soldier]

Originally posted by Thankful:

I can't state something that I didn't say first without giving credit to the person who did.

 

General Duke and I may differ on some things but we both want to see Somalia prosper with

Puntland leading the way.

What if Puntland is not allowed to lead?

[General Duke]

^^^Your grasp of English is quite poor..

[Land_Soldier]

Originally posted by General Duke:

^^^Your grasp of English is quite poor..

Someone is angry. Wonder why?

[Thankful]

Land_Soldier,

 

I believe Puntland already is leading the way! Tens of Thousands come to find shelter from violence.

[General Duke]

Originally posted by Land_Soldier:

quote:Originally posted by General Duke:

^^^Your grasp of English is quite poor..

Someone is angry. Wonder why?

Its poorer than one thought.

[Land_Soldier]

Thankful or GD, how many has Puntland deported till now?

 

 

 

 

[Thankful]

Probably not even 1% of how many are currently living peacefully in Puntland.

 

There are whole neighbourhoods and business in Bosasso that are run by Southerners.

 

You don't see women and children or the elderly in the pics. It's all men of fighting age.

[Land_Soldier]

So, at least the ones with sufficient amount of money can stay.

[Gallad]

No one from South has been left out. They deported everyone. I heard even the human trafickers/smugglers are complaining about the deportations of the smuggled migrants.

 

Pirate king Fahole had a meeting with the "human trafickers" few nights ago, they agreed to only let in the "tahribayasha" to Pirateland.

 

We all know smuggling and human trafficking from Pirateland to Gulf States and Yemen continues to be a major concern. So if are from South and wanna go to Pirateland to seek refuge, you must say that you are passing migrant for tahrip.