Galgala: A War Over Resources Fuelled By Historical Rivalry

[Xudeedi]

Alshabab spokesman Ali Rage: ‘Alshabab has nothing to do with the Galgala conflict’

 

Mogadishu: Sheikh Ali Rage told the press today, “Alshabab is not involved in the Puntland’s Galgala military confrontation…The war is between Puntland Intelligence Service and the local clan inhabitants,” Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage.

 

“The Galgala Muslim population took up arms to defend their religion, dignity and land. You will succeed, be patient and fight against opression by Ethiopian stooges,” He said. “You have the right to defend your faith, property; God is on your side and you will defeat the enemy.” He added. Sheik Rage also accused the media for conducting an ill-referenced reporting.

 

Puntland authorities have blamed the insurgent group Al-Shabaab for yesterday’s attack on Puntland Security Forces. Though the semiautonomous president, Abdirahman Farole claimed victory over the militia, local sources reported heavy losses on the Puntland Forces.

 

Earlier, the leader of alleged group in Galgala mountainous region, Abdulkadir Farah spoke to Somali Public Radio, “we are not Alshabab, Alshabab operates in southern Somalia,… they are not here in any shape or form. We are fighting against injustice and clan sabotage.” The president of Puntland Farole hates us because of our believes and the willingness to accept Sharia law,” Mr. Farah.

 

After the Alshabab's press release, many have questioned the validity of recent media reports. Reuters Abdi Sheikh reported that the group’s allegiance to Alqaida linked Alshabab, was admitted by group’s founder Sheik Atom to reporters in Galgayo Town. However, there is no trace of such an admission. Eventually, it was found that the source of the news came from Garoweonline, which is owned by Puntland President’s son, Mohamed Farole.

 

Sheikh Atam, an elusive cleric fought Puntland previous administration in the past over oil and mineral exploration projects. In 2006, 36 people died in Majayahan village, and after several failed missions, the then Puntland’s President Ade Muse, abandoned the bloody project. Ever since, Sheikh Atam and his militia stayed in Galgala, Majayahan and Dalan, and termed themselves ‘The Defenders of Sanaag Resources.’ Meanwhile, some say Puntland’s President, Abdirahman Farole, who resided in Australia and holds Australian citizenship, wants to resume the oil and mineral exploration projects, a plan which the people of the area (Galgala, Majayahan, Dalan, etc) fiercely oppose.

 

The region is under-developed and is populated by communities marginalized by Puntland's clan formula. Currently, Puntland has no police, local government, and institutional presence in the area. President Farole has never set foot in Sanaag, Haylaan and Western Bari and is accused by local inhabitants of diverting international aid to Garowe, capital of Puntland and President Farole’s hometown.

 

Since the last military confrontation, the area has remained calm after the local elders mitigated another deadly conflict

[Xudeedi]

This episode was inspired by poignant enquiries of unresolved political and economic issues harking back to the days of the collapsed totalitarian regime

Puntland has benefited one clan and it's days are numbered. I hope the galgala incident to inspire an independent administration.

[Xudeedi]

What is causing the lack of fair representation for the Makhiris in both of the legislative body and the cabinet? What power sharing method does the state employ to distribute its limited resources? Why are SSDF sites beating the drum for Galgala to be bombed? Such sensible sentiments and many others in the minds of the Diaspora have arisen after a decade of Puntland`s alienation policy.

Makhiri's wake up and grab a firm grib of your destiny

 

Puntland was a failed project engineered by clan opportunist and derived from a strugle that was not a Makhiri.

[NASSIR]

Thanks Xudeedi! Keep us updated more.

[Xudeedi]

Misinformation in the early phase of the conflict is evolving slowly. I urge informed parties to pen their concerns towards Farole's illegal schemes.

[Timur]

If you were alive in 2007 you'd know there was an independent administration in the regions of Sanaag and Western Bari. But that didn't last, do you remember that part?

 

Stop barking, your people don't stand for nonsense and they support Puntland state 100%, they remember the disaster that became Maakhir State.

[Qandalawi]

Xudeedi, this is not a clan war nor there is/was any historical conflict between these clans.

 

Why do you keep repeating this point, call for clan bigotory and insist inter-clan war.

 

Clanish conflict and bloody inter-clan war between these brotherly communities is not an easy thing, do no wish for it.

[Thankful]

Originally posted by Qandali:

Xudeedi, this is not a clan war nor there is/was any historical conflict between these clans.

 

Why do you keep repeating this point, call for clan bigotory and insist inter-clan war.

 

Clanish conflict and bloody inter-clan war between these brotherly communities is not an easy thing, do no wish for it.

Because he is not there that is why! He is completey safe from any harm that he keeps saying is about to come. That has always been an issue of mine and why I say radical diaspora. Its because they can so easily speak of war while they sit in safety.

 

I am starting to think that all this is just a ploy and a means of making people upset with the current Puntland admin so hopefully a person from Eastern Sanaag can become president. Yes, I truly believe that this whole "I am against Puntland" thing was planned in advance, because there is no way someone can change course so quickly, supporting a state one month and then bashing it another and pretending like you were always against it....yup this must be a calculated election strategy.

 

Time will tell though if my beliefs are correct and they start supporting Puntland.

[Saalax]

Interesting.