Somaliland ends efforts to search two German hostages
kidnapped in Somaliland's Sanaag region caused
Somaliland government to take bold initiatives to
rescue the hostages. Somaliland police forces
investigating the two missing German tourists
reported to be in Somaliland territories deep
in the mountainous range of Al-Madow has been
aborted after costly hunt for the kidnappers.
Defence Minister Abdalla Ali Abraham ordered military personnel to accompany police forces as suspected kidnappers were reported to be heavily armed. Somaliland already with an
experience in releasing hostages learning from the suffering of another German hostage, quickly dispatched personnel to surround all possible areas potential as ideal for hostage takers including towns but to no avail.
"Smokescreen"
In a surprising twist, Interior Minister Abdalla Ismail "Irro" suggested such reports of two hostages in Somaliland territories may have been smokescreen for the kidnappers. He identified the suspected location both hostages are held as western part of Bender Qasim also known as Bosaaso city in Somalia and not in Somaliland's territory.
In an interview with Somaliland news agency, he refused to comment more and requested his hope for moral sense to prevail in Somalia. The latest kidnapping is believed to be as a result of the current internal politics in the piracy invested Somalia's self styled autonomous "Puntland State of Somalia". The kidnappers are believed to be raising funds to fight local elections against current leader of Puntland General Adde Mose.
Both hostages are believed to be alive and in good health, often being moved to different houses at night. Although the search has ended, the investigation to close this case still continues.
Impunity from criticism
Puntland enjoys good relations with Somalia's enforced self styled Transitional Federal Government (TFG) as it's president Abdullah Yusuf is current tribal elder of Puntland. This has given Puntland authority immunity from international condemnations and protected them from charges of "terrorism" often cheaply thrown at anti-tfg entities by the international communities.
While Somaliland was spending men and money on the search for the hostages. Pro transitional government media in Somalia were inciting calls for arms against Somaliland forces in Sanaag making their intension to side with the hostage takers. Consequently, sporadic little demonstrations appeared in towns with the intension to stop the search for the two hostages. Somaliland forces adhere that such demonstrations did not change their plans.
"We did not go to invade ourselves, we were forced to clarify the fate of the hostages and we are glad to finish it now" said Somaliland Defence Minister
Condemnations required
Traditional Somali culture has always been hospitable to the traveller, but prolonged experiences of statelessness and abject misery has turned what was a simple and harmonious existence into a perilous savage and beastly predators. This pattern of kidnapping for the sole purpose of seeking ransom is now widely accepted phenomena in the Puntland authority's domain.
Puntland founded on the Islamic principles of equity and justice in 1998 now stands out as the place where UNHCR ships are held for ransom, tourists are kidnapped, and hatred against Somaliland is openly incited by radios.
Security officials provided with UNDP (United Nations Development Program) facilities such as boats admitted on the BBC Somali that it's employees may have aided and abetted such pirates using UNDP supplied boats as launch pads for the attacks on ships. Such thuggery against ships and civilians shall be condemned by donor communities.
Author:
Shuun Isaaq
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