Dhahar: The people of Dhahar, in the Hayland region of Puntland took to the streets to protest against what they called ‘injustice’ subjugated on them by the Farole administration. The demonstrations came after the Puntland president, Abdirahman Farole accused Dhahar residents of harboring ‘terrorists.’ The rallies halted towns’ business activities as the demonstrations continued till the dusk. Dhahar elders, business community, women and youth groups and the media were present in large numbers.
Protesters denounced Farole’s accusations and called his bold and explosive statement, an insulting and indignation driven by clan animosity. Most people shouted angry words: “Faroole is a tribalist, blood monger, terrorist and dictator,” those were the words that had echoed in the city streets.
Mr. Farole sensitive comments angered many in Sanaag, Hayland and Western Bari Regions of Puntland, at a time when a bloody battle is looming in Galgala and the surrounding villages, a war based on resource manipulation and land grab, according to the Elders. “The militia fighting Puntland forces are indigenous and righteous sons defending their land against Farole sponsored foreign firms,” said one of the elders.
In 2006 militia forces loyal to Mohamed Saeed Atom were successful driving Puntland Army out of the Majayahan Mountainous Range. Puntland provided mining rights to Range Resource, an infamous Australian firm. In exchange, Puntland leaders received some proceeds as part of the operational cost. The deal was originally arranged through Australian naturalized citizens, native to Puntland: Abdirahman Farole (current president), and Issa Dolawa. Range Resources paid upfront ‘fees’ for granted access to Puntland’s untapped mineral and oil resources.
The firm completed its preliminary studies by early 2006, and shipped some of the important logistics to Bosaso Port. However, the move angered inhabitants in Majayahan, Galgala and surrounding communities, for not being consulted to begin with, and that their communities have been marginalized for years by the Puntland government. The tide led to armed confrontations that resulted at least 15 deaths on both sides.
Later, hostilities ended after Puntland forces were pushed back from the Majayahan area. President Adde Musse, then in power, decided to abandon the project after several failed attempts to defeat the militia forces loyal to Mohamed Saeed Atom.
5 years later and another president non else but Abdirahman Farole who acted as a middle man in the 2006 failed business venture came to power after he has been selected by 66 Puntland parliament, a chamber whom its members accept bribe openly and award government key positions to whoever has the ‘hot cash.’
Abdirahman Farole was involved in 2006 Majayahan conflict and his latest onslaught to instigate another conflict in the same area, did not come in surprise. Soon after he took office in the beginning of 2009, he started finger pointing and bold accusations against inhabitants of the Western Bari Region. Initially, he tried to divide the elders of the region by offering money to some of them, but that strategy backfired, and that is when he decided to send his army to take Galgala.
On July 24, the Puntland ‘Dervishes’ moved in and attacked Atom’s militia at Sugurre Valley. In that battle, Puntland forces lost 9 soldiers and at least 17 others were injured. The treacherous nature of the region was to blame when later the minister of security briefed the press. Battle after battle, Puntland forces have taken heavy toll with the most casualties from the Puntland Intelligence Service fighting along side the army. Some of the wounded have been transported to neighboring Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya for medical attention.
Nothwithstanding President Farole’s claims that the army was successful bringing an end to Atom’s forces, independent news sources reported militia presence in control of the key areas of the Madarshoon Valley, not far from Galgala, now under the control of Puntland stretched military.
Mohamud Ahmed serve as political analysts Terror Free Somalia Foundation
Email: maash68@gmail.com
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of terror free Somali
Abdirahman Warsame is the Executive Director of the Terror Free Somalia Foundation.a national grassroots organization that opposes terrorism and supports democracy in Africa. regular contributor American Thinker http://www.americanthinker.com/abdirahman_warsame/ . .Pajamas Media and .other American
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