Rivals in northern Somalia gear for possible war

[Hiiraan boy]

ERIGAVO, Somalia Apr 20 (Garowe Online) - Regional rivals in north Somalia looked to be preparing for another possible showdown between them as a strengthening insurgency threatened the Somali government’s remaining hope of restoring order in the south of the country.

A Somaliland delegation led by the breakaway region’s vice president, Ahmed Yasin, reached the town of Erigavo yesterday in an armored military convoy, residents and officials said.

Erigavo is the capital of Sanaag, a region violently disputed between Somaliland and the neighboring rival state of Puntland. The two sub-states fought pitched battles last week for dominance in the region, until Somaliland troops ultimately withdrew. [ Full story]

Somaliland’s former defense minister, who was sacked a day after the retreat, told a local paper that he saved troops and the Cabinet delegation visiting Sanaag region at the time by withdrawing.

“When the incident [battle] happened, even those soldiers we pay who wear our military uniform joined the enemy side,” ex-Defense Minister Adan Mire Wakaf said to Hargeisa-based Ogaal, referring to Somaliland soldiers belonging to the Harti clan.

The Somalis’ Harti clan, part of the larger Darod clan family, traditionally inhabit northeastern Somalia, including the regions of Sool and Sanaag.

But Somaliland claims the regions under colonial-era boundaries, which its case for sovereignty is founded on.

That claim is dismissed by Puntland leaders, who say that the Harti community in those regions does not want to break away from the rest of Somalia.

There are fears that Somaliland Vice President Yasin’s visit to Sanaag might reignite conflict with neighboring Puntland whose vice president, Hassan Dahir Afqura, is also touring parts the region. [ Full story]

Sources in Erigavo said the Somaliland vice president's delegation was welcomed to town by Somaliland’s top military commander, Gen. Nuh Taani.

Also on Friday, the Puntland administration appointed a 7-member Border Security Committee chaired by President Mohamud "Adde" Muse, who is currently on an official trip overseas.