Somaliland Upper house accuses Somalia of instigating the recent skirmishes in Sool region

[Deeq A.]

The upper house of parliament (Guurti) has issued a press statement on the renewed skirmishes between Puntland and Somaliland armed forces. The Elders have pointed an accusatory finger at Somalia’s federal gov’t of constant meddling the territorial borders of Somaliland. The house said that Somalia gov’t in conjunction with Puntland were embarked on direct intervention on Somaliland borders. The elders stated that the motive behind the meddling is to instigate unrest and bloodshed between Puntland and Somaliland.

The elders issued the following points after convening an extraordinary session:-

1. It is obvious that Somali gov’t has no respect for the agreements reached between Somaliland & Somalia. The apparent instance is the airspace agreement which Somalia breached.
2. Puntland parliament endorsed that its authority to wage war against Somaliland to emancipate Sool, Sanaag and Buhodle regions.
3. The disruption of registration centers in Haysimo and Badhan as militia backed by Puntland vandalized.
4. The planning minister of Somalia accompanied by interior minister of Puntland came to Badhan which is clear violation of territorial integrity. The ministers have made speeches aimed at instigating violence and urged the residents to oppose against Somaliland.
5. Somaliland armed force encroached the territorial integrity of Somalia but is securing Somaliland borders with Puntland.
6. The elders have put the blame of launching the attack against Somaliland army stationed in Tukaraq.
7. Elders have said that both Somalia and Puntland are inciting violence.