Somaliland minister talks of challenge

Abdullahi Du’ale, information minister of the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, told IRIN on Friday that the security situation in Hargeysa was calm and under control. He denied reports that areas of Hargeysa had become “no-go”, following arrests made by the police, and shooting incidents on Thursday. Du’ale said he could not confirm the number of people detained, wounded or killed, but said there had been an incident. “There has been a challenge to government, and some have been detained in compliance with the constitution. There are others at large, and we are in the process of trying to get them.” He confirmed that some of those attempting to “derail” the democratic process had recently held a meeting in Burao, some 150 km east of the Somaliland capital, Hargeysa. After a long, painstaking process to make sure the Somaliland nation was stable, people wanting to join the political arena should follow the legal process, Du’ale said in a telephone interview from Hargeysa. The arrests follow recent accusations levelled by opposition figures that Somaliland leader, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, has taken advantage of official resources and personnel to establish his own party. Duale said the recently-formed UDUB (meaning ‘pillar’) organisation was in control, and would not tolerate clan or religious activism. “I am part of UDUB, which is the governing organisation, under the leadership of His Excellency President Egal, and [the party] will challenge through democratic, peaceful, constitutional means... We are not a political party yet, but plan to be... We are one of the challengers, and we stand by our record for good or for bad.” After Egal established UDUB in early July, he faced accusations by critics that he had used his position and “national resources” to form the organisation, which led to an attempt to impeach him in the Somaliland parliament. According to government sources, other political organisations have also been formed. Only political organisations that qualified as national ones - meaning they had support from at least three regions - would be endorsed, the source said. National elections are due to be held in 2002, following the recent referendum which endorsed a multiparty constitution and Somaliland’s independent status, the source said. According to Du’ale, the present challenge had come from individuals who were working contrary to the constitution. “We are not going to entertain tribal, religious, or clan interests. We have a national interest... We need to get [international] recognition, and development, and see the nation intact.” The International Civil Aviation Authority in Nairobi, Kenya, which deals with Somaliland airspace, confirmed to IRIN that Hargeysa airport was open as normal.