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Press Release: Solving
the problems Created by Puntland involvement in Somaliland
March 04, 2011
The Republic of Somaliland adopts a policy of peaceful coexistence
with all the countries and region s in the Horn of Africa. It is the
policy of the Government to promote peace and stability and to
se ek areas of common interest that would allow increased regional
and international cooperation.
We regret that our relationship with the Puntland regional authority
has become complicated beca use of their refusal to respect
the colonial border lines in contradiction to one of the basic
principle s adopted and maintained by the African Union. This has
led to a growing tendency by Puntland to interfere in the internal
affairs of Somaliland, especially by encouraging and exploiting
tensions bet ween Somaliland clans.
In this context, the Government of Somaliland is very concerned
about the recent military build-up in Puntland that includes imports
of a great number of military vehicles as well as training of
param ilitary units – in violation of UN Security Council
resolutions – by a private foreign military company reputed for its
involvement in armed conflicts across the African continent. Also,
Puntland has rec ently deployed its forces towards Las-Anod
and mobilised clan militias. The latter have attacked units of the
Somaliland army with the support of Puntland on a number of
occasions.
Regrettably, these developments have undermined the sustained
efforts by the Somaliland gover nment to pacify the inter-clan
land conflict near Buhodle and to respond actively to their
grievanc es. The involvement of Puntland in the inter-clan conflict
on Somaliland soil has severely aggravate d the situation and
complicated the necessary dialogue and so have the bellicose
statements made by the Puntland president, Mr. Abdirahman Farole.
As a result of this, a situation is now created where there is a
danger of an enlarged conflict that could have a destabilising
effect on the whole region. This is not only the concern of
Somaliland but also that of other countries in the region that have
a strong interest in maintaining peace and sta bility.
The President of Somaliland, Mr. Ahmed M Silanyo, has repeatedly
called for restraint and dialogue and has strongly encouraged the
concerned elders to act as conciliators and peacemakers betwe
en the clans in conflict. As stated from the day of his election,
the President remains ready for dial ogue with Puntland on all
matters of common interest under the condition that Puntland ceases
the interference in internal affairs of Somaliland and stops its
support to clan militias and anti-peace elements.
The way out of the present tension, nourished by threats of
aggression, would be the return to th e status quo ante, i.e.,
the cessation of all military activities including the support of
clan militias by Puntland. Somaliland is ready to play its part in a
process which can lead to such an arrangement.
Somaliland is grateful for the announced readiness of Ethiopia to
get positively engaged in overco ming the situation that risks
to do harm to the region. We would highly appreciate if the
governm ent of Ethiopia would deploy its good offices to de-escalate
the present tensions perhaps through a shuttle diplomacy. Immediate
objectives of such efforts could be to bring movements of a
threat ening nature to a halt, and to ensure that all sides have a
clear commitment to confront the anti-p eace elements, that are
operating in the Buhodle area.
The Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Somaliland
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