The Return of the Bully: Once again Somaliland Militia terrorizes Historic Taleh

Somaliland Militia enter Taleh on June 12, 204.

On June 12, 2014. Dozens of people have been reported injured, 4 in serious condition as Somaliland Militia equipped with 90 Technico vehicles attacked Khatumo’s Historical city of Taleh. Somaliland Forces went into a firing spree in and around the areas of Khatumo administration’s landmarks such as the Sayid Mohamed A. Hassan Airport, the famous Fig-Tree (Berdaha Khatumo) garden, and the main roads leading to the office of Khatumo President Mohamed J. Indho-sheel.

Militia forces loyal to Somaliland administration started blocking entry points to Taleh around 8:00 a.m local time when the Khatumo civil society was planning to hold a peaceful Khatumo III conference to solidify their local administration established in the same City a year ago. Khatumo State of Somalia is a separate administration that was formed in last year’s Grand Khatumo 2 Congress of the Sool, Sanaag, Cayn people in the city of Taleh. All 13 Traditional Graads and more than 65 Caqils along with 6000 civil society participants have unanimously declared their formal separation from Puntland and Somaliland.

Somaliland’s incursion comes amid recent visits to Taleh by thousands of local delegates from Sool Sanaag and Cayn regions, eager to participate in Khatumo’s ratification of a new State Constitution and democratic elections for a new president. However, as the local people became aware of the dangers of renewed fighting in peaceful Taleh, the Traditional Elders along with Intellectuals from abroad and neighbouring khatumo cities have agreed to temporarily withdraw their forces from Taleh; allowing the invading Somaliland Militia to enter the city.

Additionally, earlier in 2014, Somaliland was forced to withdraw its forces from the Taleh due to political pressures from the International Community including the Ethiopian government, EU, US, the British and Somali Government. So why did they come back now ! Somaliland claims that they entered into Taleh to disrupt the khatumo III Conference which is aligned with the Unionist principals of Somalia’s Federal Government in Mogadishu; something that Somaliland opposes because of their Secessionist ideology.

“It is also a matter of political survival for Somaliland’s Silanyo” said Farah Abdulle, a long resident of Taleh City. “I lived my whole life in Taleh and Sool region, so many administrations lay claim to our city, but the local people have made their choice clear in January 2012 when they endorsed their Khatumo administration. Embroiled in its own so called parliamentary and political party squabbles and facing the loss of his own governing Party’s  confidence, Silanyo wants to divert the attention of his political base thus reverting to illegal attacks in distant khatumo lands” Continued Mr. Abdulle.

“Khatumo administration condemns these barbaric atrocities and It is unfortunate that Somaliland has begun a new war in the region” stated Mukhtar Habashi, Khatumo administraton’s chief of staff. “Khatumo People are committed to exercise their inalienable right to freedom of assembly and we will defend our people and our land” continued Mukhtar.

A. Hindi

admin@khatumo.net

This article may not be copied or reproduced without the written consent of www.khatumo.net    except if you are a member of Khatumo Journalists Association (KHAJA) in which case you have full permission.