Somalia: Galkayo elders to take over security from Puntland admin.
9 Jul 9, 2008 - 6:48:37 PM
GALKAYO, Somalia July 9 (Garowe Online) - The leader of Somalia's Puntland regional authority met with traditional elders Wednesday in the city of Galkayo, 750km north of the national capital Mogadishu.
Gen. Adde Muse, the Puntland ruler, met with traditional elders and community leaders in Galkayo led by Islan Bashir, where the different sides discussed worsening security in the town.
On Wednesday morning, a prominent Galkayo-based businessman was shot and killed after he walked out of a local mosque. [ Full story]
Groups of angry people staged a protest in front of President Muse's home in Galkayo, after word spread that businessman Ali Jama Bihi was killed by suspected insurgents.
Witnesses told Garowe Online that some protestors hurled rocks at the home, but presidential security forces quickly dispersed the crowd by firing bullets into the air.
According to our sources, Galkayo elders and other influential personalities accepted to take over control of the local security situation and establish a regularly-paid police force.
The elders will be granted full access to government taxes collected by the Puntland administration in Galkayo, capital of Mudug region, which will be used to help improve the dramatically worsening security situation, the sources added.
The Muse administration of Puntland has been accused of neglecting the region's security, as pirate attacks, kidnappings and shootings continue to increase by the day.
Source: Garowe Online
