Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the president of the self-styled Republic of Somaliland, has strongly attacked the Puntland state administration recently announced in Garoowe town [northern Somalia]. Mr Egal said that the administration could by no means extend into Somaliland territory, which was indivisible. He added that the borders of Somaliland territory were the same as those of former British Somaliland. [He said:] We know the motives of the groups behind this issue and they should either refrain from blowing a nonexistent administration out of proportion or take responsibility for any evil consequences arising from it.

Source: `Xog-Ogaal`, Mogadishu, in Somali 25 Jul 98

Text of report by Somali newspaper `Xog-Ogaal` on 25th July

© 1998 The British Broadcasting Corporation [date of publication]. All Rights Reserved.

Ali Mahdi supports Puntland if does not lead to secession
BBC Monitoring Service Africa
July 31, 1998

Excerpts from article headlined “Ali Mahdi says: We welcome the Puntland administration if it is not meant to divide Somalia”, published by Somali newspaper `Qaran` on 27th July

Ali Mahdi Muhammad, the United Somali Congress - Somali Salvation Alliance chairman, has briefed local and foreign journalists on the establishment of the Banaadir Region [administration] to local and foreign journalists...

In reply to a question on his views on the Puntland administration announced by the peoples of the northeastern regions, Ali Mahdi said he would welcome it, provided it did not lead to secession, saying it was similar to the administration being formed for Banaadir Region. He made it clear, however, that he would not support it if it was a prelude to secession of the northeastern regions from the rest of Somalia....

Source: `Qaran`, Mogadishu, in Somali 27 Jul 98

© 1998 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Further faction expresses support for Puntland
BBC Monitoring Service Africa
July 31, 1998

Text of article headlined “USC-SNA supports the regional government whose president is Abdullahi Yusuf”, published by Somali newspaper ` Ayaamaha`on 26th July

The USC-SNA [United Somali Congress - Somali National Alliance] supports the Puntland administration established by the northeastern regions, whose president is Abdullahi Yusuf. Ali Diriye Alore, the USC-SNA representative in Gaalkacyo [central Somalia], addressing a rally attended by supporters of the administration, said on behalf of his organization that he supported the Puntland state.

Source: `Ayaamaha`, Mogadishu, in Somali 26 Jul 98

© 1998 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Aydid condemns new Puntland administration, criticizes Ethiopia.
BBC Monitoring Service Africa
August 01, 1998

At a meeting of his leadership council, Husayn Muhammad Aydid said that they were opposed to the recently proclaimed Puntland administration [in northeastern Somalia] headed by Col Abdullahi Yusuf.

Quoting Aydid, his radio said that a foreign country was behind the establishment of the Puntland administration with a view to dividing Somalia. He said that Somalia attained independence in 1960, hence its territorial boundaries and religion were inviolable.

He condemned Ethiopia for its flagrant interference in the country`s affairs. He said Ethiopia`s bilateral agreement with the [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal administration [of Somaliland] constituted interference in Somalia`s internal affairs.

Source: `Qaran`, Mogadishu, in Somali 30 Jul 98

Text of report by Somali newspaper `Qaran` on 30th July

© 1998 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

General Morgan supports Puntland
BBC Monitoring Service Africa
July 31, 1998

Text of article headlined “General Morgan: On behalf of the Harti, I congratulate Puntland”, published by Somali newspaper `Ayaamaha` on 27th July

On behalf of the Harti community in Kismaayo [southeastern Somalia] town, I congratulate the Puntland regional government declared in the northeastern regions, General [Muhammad Sa`id Hirsi, alias] Morgan has said. He also said that the Jubbada Hoose and Jubbada Dhexe Regions [in the southeast] will also establish an administration, which will be at one with those regions. General Muhammad Hirsi Morgan has called on the Somali people to establish an administration similar to that of Puntland`s, with a view to forming a national coalition government.

Source: `Ayaamaha`, Mogadishu, in Somali 27 Jul 98

© 1998 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.  

Zooming into Somalia
Somalia may break into small states
July 29, 1998
Borneo Bulletin

NAIROBI (AFP) - Somalia, after eight years of anarchic civil war, is breaking up into regions, challenging the concept of the eventual reestablishment of a national unitary government, analysts said Monday.

Mohamed Shil Hassan, political commentator for the Mogadishu Times, says Somalia may end up like the small states which make up the United Arab Emirates - “but poor emirates, without the petroleum.”

He foresees a confederation of about five small states.

The trend is attributed to continuing mistrust among feuding clans and the deadlocked reconciliation process, with at least a dozen major attempts to set up a national government having failed since the overthrow of Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in January 1991, a result of the intransigence of warlords unwilling to share power.

On Thursday, Darod clans in the northeast set up “Puntland,” with a constitution and regional government, but declared they were not seceding from the rest of Somalia.

General Mohamed Abshir Musa, the local leader of the Majerteen, the largest clan in the northeast, refused to recognise “Puntland,” however, leaving the region tense.

In the northwest, formerly ruled by Britain, Issaks declared the breakaway “Republic of Somaliland” five months after Siad Barre`s ouster and the descent of the rest of Somalia, formerly Italian-ruled, into anarchy.

Somaliland is now well established, relatively peaceful, and organised, but has not been recognised by any outside country.

Mogadishu remains divided, with five Hawiye warlords from different subclans each controlling fiefdoms in the capital, but they are now planning to reunify the city, open the international airport and seaport in south Mogadishu, abolish “green lines,” and set up a 6,000-strong police force funded by Libya.

Similar agreements in the past foundered because they did not include Musa Sudi Yalahow, who holds the Medina enclave beside the airport, but on July 19 he said he had changed his mind and now welcomed the moves.

North Mogadishu strongman Ali Mahdi Mohamed welcomed the establishment of “Puntland,” telling AFP: “If the declaration by the northeast does not challenge the unity of Somalia and does not abuse other regions, then we appreciate their regional administration.”

Issa Mohamed Siad, foreign policy adviser to powerful south Mogadishu warlord Hussein Mohamed Aidid, was more cautious, saying: “It is too soon to give a historical judgement on such a fresh event.”

Colonel Abdullahi Yousuf Ahmed of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), who was appointed by a 71-day-long meeting in northeastern Garowe as the “president of “Puntland,” vowed to make his region peaceful and develop its economy.

“Puntland will have 69 parliamentarians and nine ministers,” spokesman Awad Ashra said.