To solve the resent emasculated border conflict between the two self proclaimed independent countries of Somaliland and Puntland the conflict in the Sool region, in the central north of Somalia have agreed to discuss the border issue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the coming weeks. "The Ethiopian government is working to resolve the problem, advice them to stop and solve the problem by discussing the issues. They have agreed to discuss the issue in Addis Ababa only waiting to get the scheduling worked out. Ethiopia wants the stability of the region, work with the two groups to resolve their disputes on the round table instead of with rifles" said Brigadier General Berhia Tesfie Head of the Ethiopian government office in Somaliland.
According to Berhia, the two nations have placed confidence over Ethiopia's mediation which they consider an ally "we helped the two nations build their security force, they should concentrate on their common enemy such as Al-shabaab, the conflict is not new it involves the border, power, and clan." Now the conflict isunder control, we want to live in peace" Somaliland foreign Minister Mohamed Abdilahi Omar said.
The center of the conflict is the Sool region in the central north of Somalia which merits closer attention and analysis. On Monday, 1 October 2007, Puntland and Somaliland armed forces clashed near Laascaanood, the capital of Sool region. Fighting escalated again two weeks later, on 15 October. Since then, Laascaanood has remained in the hands of the Somaliland forces. Though precise numbers are not available, roughly half the town's population has fled. Some traditional authorities are involved in negotiations, while others wait on the sidelines. At the time of writing Puntland and Somaliland are mobilizing for a new round of fighting. The clashes are localized around Laascaanood but they have a far wider regional relevance. In the first place, they indicate political splits and conflicts within the local community. The Dhulbahante clan inhabits most parts of Sool region as well as parts of eastern Sanaag and Togdheer in northern Somalia. The fighting further divides a community already fractured by a number of internal conflicts including 'traditional' blood feuds but also tensions over split loyalties towards Somaliland or Puntland. Second, the clashes bring war to an area that has not seen serious fighting before. In addition to large numbers of internal displaced people, further armed confrontation will result in a humanitarian disaster with attendant victims and the destruction of the already poor infrastructure. Third, fighting in the region has implications for the whole security structure in northern Somalia. In this process, Somaliland and Puntland risk the loss of their most important asset – their relative peacefulness in comparison with the situation in the south of Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu. Fourth, the current crisis between Somaliland and Puntland over Laascaanood and Sool brings a focus on one of the underlying conflict drivers for the whole region.
THE END......................
According to Berhia, the two nations have placed confidence over Ethiopia's mediation which they consider an ally "we helped the two nations build their security force, they should concentrate on their common enemy such as Al-shabaab, the conflict is not new it involves the border, power, and clan." Now the conflict isunder control, we want to live in peace" Somaliland foreign Minister Mohamed Abdilahi Omar said.
The center of the conflict is the Sool region in the central north of Somalia which merits closer attention and analysis. On Monday, 1 October 2007, Puntland and Somaliland armed forces clashed near Laascaanood, the capital of Sool region. Fighting escalated again two weeks later, on 15 October. Since then, Laascaanood has remained in the hands of the Somaliland forces. Though precise numbers are not available, roughly half the town's population has fled. Some traditional authorities are involved in negotiations, while others wait on the sidelines. At the time of writing Puntland and Somaliland are mobilizing for a new round of fighting. The clashes are localized around Laascaanood but they have a far wider regional relevance. In the first place, they indicate political splits and conflicts within the local community. The Dhulbahante clan inhabits most parts of Sool region as well as parts of eastern Sanaag and Togdheer in northern Somalia. The fighting further divides a community already fractured by a number of internal conflicts including 'traditional' blood feuds but also tensions over split loyalties towards Somaliland or Puntland. Second, the clashes bring war to an area that has not seen serious fighting before. In addition to large numbers of internal displaced people, further armed confrontation will result in a humanitarian disaster with attendant victims and the destruction of the already poor infrastructure. Third, fighting in the region has implications for the whole security structure in northern Somalia. In this process, Somaliland and Puntland risk the loss of their most important asset – their relative peacefulness in comparison with the situation in the south of Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu. Fourth, the current crisis between Somaliland and Puntland over Laascaanood and Sool brings a focus on one of the underlying conflict drivers for the whole region.
THE END......................
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