Saturday, March 10, 2012

Somaliland Forces Detain Khatumo State Supporters

Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at 10:14 am

SOMALIA: Somaliland forces detain Khatumo state supporters

Las’anod (RBC) Somaliland forces in the restive Las’anod town have detained more than 30 people during demonstrations in Las’anod town last week.

The demonstrations organized by the followers of newly established of Khatumo state in Somalia’s Sool, Sanaag and Ceyn [SSC] regions hailed president of Somalia’s federal government, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed who said his government recognized Khatumo as “new and legal state” under Somalia federal system.

The transitional federal government declared that it will collaborate with any local state comprising more than two regions, but the decision enraged both Somaliland and Puntland authorities.

Local sources told RBC Radio that Las’anod town in Sool region had witnessed big rallies in the past weeks as Somaliland forces were attempting to disperse the demonstrators. At least 35 demonstrators were detained while some were transferred to Mandera prison without prosecuting.

“The demonstrations were peaceful and were demanding Somaliland to withdraw the region and also allow local people to govern themselves.” Abdi Hashi Mohamed, a local elder told RBC Radio.

“Yesterday the jailed people were taken to Mandera” he added.

Somaliland’s information minister Ahmed Abdi Habsade blamed the demonstrators as violent people and were not obeying to the law.

Las’anod which is the capital of Sool region is run by Somaliland forces after military invasion against Puntland in Aug. 2007 but the town has been restive since then.

Meanwhile elders in the town condemned the killing of two protestors in the past week during the demonstrations.

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