Somaliand Government condemns attack of Badhan Regional Governor by Puntland Militia

The convoy of a delegation led by the Badhan regional governor was ambushed by a Puntland militia yesterday. The governor was on a visit to Hadaftimo, a district which lies in the east of Sanaag province when the incident occurred.

There are speculations that the former Badhan regional governor who defected to Puntland may have orchestrated the ambush.

Fights between Somaliland forces and the Puntland militia broke out at noon on Tuesday. Reports coming from the region indicate that both sides have incurred casualties, albeit the numbers of casualties on both sides are yet to be ascertained.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the vehicle of the Badhan Regional Governor has been confiscated by militia fighters loyal to Puntland.

Following the attack, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a strongly worded press statement expressing regret over the unfortunate incident. The ministry warned that flagrant actions are bound to frustrate and denigrate previously improving relations between the two countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in their statement also called on the government of Somalia, alongside its regional administration of Puntland, to respect the four-point agreement brokered by the United Nations and IGAD which Somaliland has complied with till date.

The statement emphasized that the Somalia government has through the act perpetrated yesterday by Puntland militia exhibited a disregard for efforts channeled towards establishing lasting peace and stability in the region.

The statement in full reads:

The Government of Republic of Somaliland expresses its deep alarm and regret over the flagrant and vicious attack by Puntland militia on a convoy of Somaliland officials, including the Governor of Badhan, as it passed through the Hadaftimo District of the Sanaag Region yesterday around 12.45pm. Such actions represent a dangerous and regressive step in previously improving relations between Somaliland and Somalia regional administration of Puntland, following several goodwill gestures, including the recent transfer of war prisoners.

The Somaliland Government calls on its neighbor, Somalia, along with its regional administration of Puntland, to respect the four-point agreement brokered by the United Nations and IGAD, which Somaliland continues to comply with this day. This includes “(1) refraining acts of provocation; (2) immediate cessation of hostilities and the implantation of ceasefire agreement; (3) the establishment of communication channels between the military commanders on the ground; and (4) the allowance of full access to deliver humanitarian assistance to the affected civilian population and releasing of prisoners as a confidence-building measure.” With today’s actions, Somaliland counterpart in the agreement – the various authorities of Somalia have shown a disregard for efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

Yesterday’s act further demonstrates the lack of respect by Somalia and its regional administrations over the sanctity of colonial borders, which forms the basis for the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty enshrined in the OAU (now AU) Resolution of 1964. In the context of international law, Sool and Sanaag are integral parts of Somaliland, falling within the international boundaries set in 1894 through colonial treaty. Somaliland Government officials reserve the right to travel and perform their duties within such territories without being subject to interference or aggression by any foreign actor, including the Somalia Government. Today’s attack on individuals lawfully administering governance and development within their jurisdiction not only closes down space for neighborly cooperation on issues related to the border but also puts the lives and development prospects of innocent civilians at risk.

Somaliland and Puntland are engaged in territorial disputes pertaining to Sanaag, Sool, and Ayn regions. The confrontation between the two forces in the region has left many people displaced, and a few others were taken as prisoners during the skirmish.