|
|
Somalia: War of words may change into clashes between Somaliland and Puntland
Fri. April 27, 2007 01:10 pm. -
(SomaliNet) According Puntland administration, Somaliland is preparing for all out war and has deployed thousands of its army along the disputed border between the two regions. In return, Puntland is training hundreds of clan militia members in a hurry in to defend itself from Somaliland should a war break out.
Self-declared republic of Somaliland and semi-autonomous Puntland had unresolved border dispute as long as the two administrations were established in early 1990s although they never had a prolonged war except few skirmishes. Now, the balance of power had shifted to Somaliland’s favor after the bulk Puntland’s army was sent to southern Somalia to fight for the interim national government headed by President Abdulahi Yusuf who ruled Puntland before his current post.
Prime Minister Ali Gedi addressed this dispute and blamed Eritrea, Somaliland and what he called Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists for fuelling the tension. Sources close to the interim government say Ethiopia had warned both Somaliland and Puntland against attacking the other. The two had fought earlier this month and then defense minister of Somaliland lost his post for mishandling the war.
Somaliland claims Puntland annexed a large junk of land from its territories - claim most Somalilanders believe is worth to fight for. On the other side of the conflict, Puntland says the inhabitants of the disputed land do not recognize WWII era border that was erected by Europeans who came to Somalia and divided the country into five enclaves: British Somaliland; Italian Somalia; French Somalia (Djibouti); and two territories given to Kenya and Ethiopia. The land falls into British Somaliland but its people have clan affiliations with Puntland.
News Category: Somalia
Latest Headlines
|
News 
