Puntland:The
Shame on Somali Identity
The history of the illegitimate semi-autonomous administration of "Puntland"
is shame on Somalia, because of its connection to many illegal
operations like agreements with Mafia to dump toxic nuclear wastes
in the Somali water, and today´s piracy. Recently the Office of UN
General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon issued report accusing "Puntland"
administration for sponsoring piracy.
In Dec 2008, the "Puntland" pirates hijacked ship loaded with toxic
chemicals – the wastes of nuclear – from European firms. The
powder-like chemicals were sealed off in containers, but the
ignorant pirates forced the crew to open. The crew requested the
codes and opened the containers. Today, all members of the pirates
are either dead or suffering serious skin problems in "Puntland"
hospitals.
This ship was heading to Somali coast to dump the hazardous
chemicals, as per agreement between "Puntland" officials and firms.
However, the pirates were not aware the plans of their superior
officers in Garoowe – the capital of "Puntland". The Garoowe
administration is involved in toxic dumping in Somali water, piracy
(which humiliated the image of Somalia around the globe) and illegal
power struggle in Mogadishu.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reported the tsunami had washed
up rusting containers of toxic waste on the shores of Puntland.
Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN envoy for Somalia confirmed to Al
Jazeera English that European and Asian companies are dumping toxic
waste, including nuclear waste, off the Somali coastline. These
firms signed contracts with Puntland administration, and warlords in
Southern Somalia.
"Somalia has been used as a dumping ground for hazardous waste
starting in the early 1990s, and continuing through the civil war
there," he added "What is most alarming here is that nuclear waste
is being dumped. Radioactive uranium waste that is potentially
killing Somalis and completely destroying the ocean."
The Former TGS President of Somalia Abdullah Yusuf, who is from "Puntland",
led the Ethiopian invasion in Somalia. He is the first Somali
citizen who led Ethiopians (Somali´s #1 enemy) against his
compatriots. He ordered indiscriminate and unguided bomb-shelling on
the civilian areas like Barakara Market of Mogadishu. Thanks to
noble Somali armed resistance who forced Ethiopian mercenaries to
leave.
All these humiliating behavior are "Made by Puntland" in the Somali
history. One of the Ethiopian officers in Mogadishu told one of my
associates "We felt great and powerful, after we captured the
building of Somali´s Army Central Command of 1977."!!! The officer
continued saying "This building was central command of Somali forces
during 1977, when they – Somali Forces – invaded our Ethiopia! I
believe every Somali can feel the humiliation of these words, and
this is product of Yusuf (former president of "Puntland"). This is
common policies of the corrupted "Puntland" governments.
In general, the civil war in Somalia benefited the criminals and
innocent varnished. Today, the kilo of KAT (narcotic green grass
chewed by Somalis and Yemenis) cost $65 dollars in Eyl city – the
strong hold of pirates – compare to $2.5 in other Somali cities. The
pirates move freely and even donate the dirty money to the poor in "Puntland".
Reports say the local girls dream to marry pirates because they are
rich.
It is clear that current "Puntland" administration is behind the
piracy, and even the current President of "Puntland" Cabdiraxman
Faroole used the ransom to win elections. He opposes any move
against the pirates, who move freely across main cities of "Puntland"
without been questioned.
The international community should put pressure on "Puntland"
administration led by Pirate President Cabdiraxman Faroole, and his
Interior Minister ilka Jiir. The world should fight the pirates
inside "Puntland" but not in the sea; their bases in Eyl should be
destroyed.
By:Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
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