One Killed, Three Wounded In Somaliland Election Protests

Somaliland demonstrations have erupted over election results. The breakaway region is located in northwest Somalia., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Garowe Online (Garowe)

Somalia: One Killed, Three Wounded in Somaliland Election Protests

31 December 2012

Hargeisa — At least 1 person was killed and 3 others wounded in Somalia 's separatist region of Somaliland in protests over last month 's local elections, Garowe Online reports.

The protests erupted Sunday morning in Borama, a provincial town west of Hargeisa, the separatist region 's capital city.

Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Saylici traveled from Hargeisa with a delegation of traditional elders and parliamentarians and arrived in Borama on Sunday afternoon, according to the BBC Somali Service. The protests began again in the afternoon near the Vice President's hotel residence.

One person was killed and three others wounded in Borama protests when security forces escorting Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Saylici opened fire on protestors who threw stones at the Vice President's convoy and hotel residence, according to witnesses, local reports and the BBC.

Borama protestors accused the Somaliland administration of "interfering" with election results for the mayor of Zeila (Saylac) coastal town, north of Borama.

Since Somaliland 's local elections in late November, protests have occurred in Hargeisa, Borama, Burao, and Erigavo .

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, but has not been recognized internationally.