Puntland leader defends federalism, criticizes AFP report
30 Mar 30, 2009 - 11:08:51 AM
BOSSASO, Somalia Mar 30 (Garowe Online) - The president of Somalia's Puntland regional autonomy has defended federalism as the 'only option' for peace in the Horn of Africa country, while dismissing a recent report by a major French news agency as 'baseless,' Radio Garowe reports.
Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," the president of Puntland, told Radio Garowe during a Sunday interview that a recent trip to Ethiopia and Djibouti was successful.
"Discussions with neighboring countries [Ethiopia and Djibouti] included issues like regional security and efforts to restore a national government in Somalia," President Farole said.
He warned strongly against the use of the phrase 'Government of National Unity,' arguing that the phrase throws into question the 2004 Federal Charter signed by Somali factions in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was established.
Puntland President Abdirahman Farole
"Our position is that nothing but a federal system can ever happen [in Somalia]. Anything else will not bring peace. It [federalism] is also the only way to convince Somaliland against independence," the Puntland leader said.
'Baseless report'
President Farole accused Agence France Press (AFP), an internationally respected news agency, of publishing a "baseless report" claiming that foreign fighters are based in Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
"They [AFP] interviewed a warlord, who said that 450 foreign fighters linked to so-called terror groups travel through Somaliland and have a major base in Garowe," President Farole said, adding that such a report is "intended to benefit some and damage others."
The AFP report, dated March 29, caused outrage across Puntland after claiming that non-Somali fighters linked to Islamist factions maintain a major base in Garowe, a regional capital renowned for years of relative tranquility. PRESS RELEASE: Puntland Government Rebukes AFP Report
In January, Garowe was the political base where Puntland's elite – including politicians, business leaders and traditional elders – gathered for the peaceful completion of a three-month election campaign which brought to power President Farole as the regional authority's fourth president.
"There are many people who are Somalis who are unhappy with the existence of Puntland, its security, its future and the peaceful way the election was conducted," President Farole said, adding: "We warn the natives of Puntland to be wary of such people. And to the troublemakers, we say we are not your enemy."
Improving security
Puntland's leader said the new government has spent massive resources on improving security, but admitted that clan fighting has occupied the government's time and resources.
"The government's strength and funds is spent on stopping clan fighting, instead of improving general security," President Farole said, while referring to warring clans in Puntland's rural area.
He expressed regret at the loss of life following an incident in the port city of Bossaso, where Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) soldiers arrested a local cleric last week, sparking riots.
"Puntland security is the responsibility of security forces paid by the Puntland government. There are other security agencies, who are paid from elsewhere," President Farole added ambiguously.
The PIS has secretive ties to Western intelligence agencies, especially the American CIA, with widespread reports indicating that PIS soldiers are paid, trained and equipped by the CIA.
President Farole said the loss of life was "unfortunate" during the Mar. 23 incident, but indicated that a committee was set up to report on the incident. Further, the arrested cleric, Sheikh Osman Shire, was transferred from the PIS over to Puntland's local police force where he is currently under investigation. READ: 2 killed in Puntland riot sparked by cleric's arrest
But the Puntland leader had tough words for the rioters, saying that the "majority" of people who participated during the Bossaso riot "came from regions outside Puntland."The Internally Displaced Peoples [IDPs] were welcomed to Puntland, allowed to live and work, but they have brought negative practices such as insecurity, because most rioters were not Puntland natives," President Farole told Radio Garowe, while indicating that the IDPs situation has been discussed with the United Nations.
Speaking about the drought, the Puntland leader called on all parties, especially the business community, to provide "collective assistance" to nomad families hard-hit by the drought in some regions.
Source: Garowe Online
