Deepening political impasse in Puntland

Traditional elders of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, have so far been unable to resolve the political impasse in Garowe, the regional capital, local sources told IRIN on Wednesday. On 21 November, forces loyal to former Puntland leader Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf attacked and captured the town from forces of recently-elected Puntland President Jama Ali Jama. At least 12 people were killed in the ensuing fighting with many more injured, sources told IRIN at the time. The fighting also displaced many people who fled the town in fear of renewed fighting. Most of the displaced have now returned after appeals by elders to do so, Farah Yusuf Nur, a local journalist told IRIN. Elders who have been engaged in resolving the dispute last night sent a 20 member committee to Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf to ask him to leave the town, but without much success, a local source in Garowe told IRIN. The source said the elders were in a difficult position. "They do not want to be seen supporting or condoning Abdullahi Yusuf's action, but at the same time they want to avoid bloodshed," he said. Other sources in Garowe predicted that Abdullahi Yusuf would be forced out "without a shot being fired". According to these sources, almost 60 percent of his militia had left for lack of food and supplies, while a force 300 militia loyal to Jama Ali Jama "took control of Laadheere Bridge checkpoint", 8 km south of Garowe on the way toward Galkayo, cutting off the colonel's supply route. Another indication of the colonel's weakening position, the sources said, was the fact that his forces had also lost another very important checkpoint on the north side of Garowe, toward the port city of Bosaso. Puntland declared itself autonomous in 1998, following a conference of local elders. Abdullahi Yusuf was elected as the region's first president for a three-year term. Confusion over Puntland's leadership broke out at the end of June this year, with Abdullahi Yusuf and the former chief justice, Yusuf Haji Nur, both claiming to be president. The controversy started after Abdullahi Yusuf, whose term was to have ended on 30 June, claimed that his mandate had been extended by parliament. Puntland's traditional elders meeting in Garowe in July rejected Abdullahi Yusuf's extension, and named Yusuf Haji Nur as "acting president" until the election of a new administration was held. The elders subsequently convened a general congress for this purpose and elected Jama Ali on 14 November, in the hope that this would end the leadership wrangles, local sources said. In the end the elders were bound to uphold the process which led to the election of Jama Ali Jama, the sources said. "The elders must therefore find ways of removing Abdullahi Yusuf without any more bloodshed and very soon. One way or another this impasse has to be resolved. It would surprise me if Abdullahi Yusuf remained in Garowe for another week," said one.