Puntland 'coastguard' fires on fishing vessel
4 Apr 4, 2009 - 2:20:32 PM
BOSSASO, Somalia Apr 4 (Garowe Online) - A private company that was licensed by the former administration in Somalia's Puntland region to patrol its coast fired on a fishing vessel that claims to have a legal fishing license, Radio Garowe reports.
The incident occurred on Thursday near the coast of Bossaso, a bustling port city that is the commercial capital of Puntland region.
The private coastguard company, Som-Can, was licensed by the administration of Gen. Adde Muse, who lost a democratic vote in January to Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," Puntland's new president.
The Som-Can gunboat fired shots at the fishing vessel, which responded with gunfire and reportedly wounded one of the soldiers on board the Som-Can gunboat.
Puntland President Farole convened an emergency meeting with Som-Can and Ministry of Fisheries officials in Bossaso, where discussions included serious concern regarding Som-Can's role in the effort to protect the Puntland coast.
Government sources said the Puntland leadership is concerned with Som-Can soldiers, some of whom were described as so-called "former pirates" while other concerns included the practices of the Ministry of Fisheries, which has been accused of giving out fishing licenses without proper legal procedure.
Mr. Abdiweli Ali Taar, the Som-Can director, has rejected the private coastguard company's alleged links to piracy but has admitted that his company is "rehabilitating" so-called "former pirates."
The Som-Can company's contract with the Puntland government expires in mid-2009, after which point President Farole has promised to review the contract and chart a new government policy.
Meanwhile, President Farole has reportedly appointed a committee to investigate the Ministry of Fisheries and the conduct of the Som-Can private coasguard company.
The Puntland region, located in northeastern Somalia, has a long coastline and is a major base of pirate operations since 2007.
Source: Garowe Online
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