Somali national army to integrate Puntland forces

August 1, 2007 (BOOSAASO, Somalia) — The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and the autonomous state of Puntland have agreed to integrate Puntland forces in the Somali national army, a local radio reported.

The president of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who is visiting areas controlled by Puntland regional administration, has reached agreements with Puntland to integrate the Daraawish forces with the government forces, Radio Shabeelle reported today.

The agreement was announced at the parliament hall in Puntland and was attended by the federal government and Puntland leaders. The agreement reached include that the Somali federal government takes over the Daraawish forces of Puntland in order to integrate them into the national armed forces so that they participate in efforts to return peace into the country.

The government will pay equiping and funds used on the forces. Also the federal authorities is to take over the naval forces of Puntland and pay funds used to equip them. The Puntland naval forces are said to have the capability of guarding the Somalia coast.

As result of Somalia instability, in 1998, Puntland declared its autonomy. Although it is a tribal-based separation under the presidency of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the current Somali president who was the deputy president of the (Somali Salvation Democratic Front).

Since 1998, Puntland has been in territorial disputes with Somaliland — which proclaimed its independence in 1991 –over the Sool and Sanaag regions. Yusuf was an army major when he sought political asylum in Ethiopia. He led the first group of resistance fighters belonging to Majeerteen tribe, whose ultimate goal was to free Somalia from dictatorship.

(ST)