Tensions building following the recent confrontation between Puntland security forces and Somaliland in the heavily militarized Tukaraq, 50km E Las’And, the capital of Sool in northern Somalia.
Dozens of peaceful demonstrators, mainly women and children had been brutally beaten by Somaliland police officers taking orders from authorities in Hargeisa, the police whom had been deployed from Burco, capital of Togdheer region, used live bullets leaving at least 12 wounded, 7 women and 5 children, while detaining over 60 others. Limited or even nonexistent reliable and independent media outlets to report reality on the ground is an unfortunate event. By vice, peculiarities of people in Laasaanood town of Sool region are completely isolated from the rest of the world. Enjoying the luxury of impunity, security forces keep engaging fire against civilian protestors, who are regularly arrested and detained indiscriminately; this has become the order of day for many ordinary citizens in Laasaanood. Sool governor of SL imposes unwarranted censorships and security forces deployment in major streets of the town to suppress popular uprisings, while posing eminent threats against civilian safety. Additional provisional extrajudicial lockdowns paralysed population movements and access to basic services. Despite domestic political turmoil compounded with the tribal hostilities rising high, Muse Bihi’s administration pressed too hard that neither retreat nor resolution is no more or less than a political suicide. His immediate option is if he can square a deal with Gaas, who’s also under intense pressure lawmakers and politicians hailing from the region to protect the constitution. President Gaas also sees this as the ONLY card to secure him a second term in office. Provocative, controversial and somewhat ill-advised rhetoric speeches by Bihi and his so called multiparty clansmen continues to trigger civil unrest and public resentment not only in Sool but in many parts of Somaliland. The above ordeals and recent security skirmishes in the frontlines of Tukaraq signals the fall of Somaliland’s Independence aspirations and the beginning of another painful era for communities in Sool region, mainly Dhulbahante. Though there is no much love lost between Isaaq and northern Harti clans, uncontrollable all-out conflict looms large in the horizon for months to come if not years.
Ayan Osman Email:
Twitter: @arboolo
Somalireport anlysis
