Somali Puntland may deploy Ethiopian troops – report

Aug 30, 2006 (HARGEYSA) — The Vice-President of the Somali Puntland regional administration, Hassan Dahir Afqudah has threatened that Ethiopian troops will be deployed in Laascaanood to restore security there following recent resentment by the local people against the Puntland administration.

Afqudah having spent some days in Laascaanood in northern Somalia — town co-claimed by Somaliland, Puntland now administered by Puntland, populated mainly by Dulbahante clan of the Darod sub-tribe.

The residents of Laascaanood have expressed dismay over Afqudah’s comments and are planning to hold a major demonstration today in Laascaanood against plans by the Puntland administration to use Ethiopian forces against the residents of the town, the Somaliland Jamhuuriya reported.

The vice-president, who hails from the region, said yesterday that he had replaced Laascaanood’s administrators with officials who are loyal to the Puntland administration.

The trouble in Sool Region came to the fore when senior clan elders and politicians said they would create a regional administration independent from Puntland. The matter has been described by Puntland as an attempt by its enemies to crush the Puntland regional administration. It said it will take stern action against anybody in Sool Region opposed to the Puntland regional administration headed by Gen Adde Muse.

The Puntland administration which has recently greatly weakened administratively and militarily, is jittery over recent activities of Islamists who are allied to the Union of Islamic Courts which is active in Mogadishu and southern Somalia.

The threat by the Puntland vice-president to deploy Ethiopian troops in Laascaanood to aid the Puntland administration to maintain security there, stems from fears that the administration might lose the Sool Region.

(ST)