Press Releases
Somalia: Puntland Government rebukes AFP report
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Mar 28, 2009 - 12:33:43 PM

Reference is made to the article titled, “ Lawless Somalia draws influx of foreign fighters ,” written by Jean Marc-Mojon for the Agence France-Press (AFP) and dated 27 March 2009. It is disappointing to learn that a worldwide news agency with a good reputation like France’s AFP could publish such unsubstantiated and unfounded allegations against the Puntland State of Somalia.
 
The article’s main allegation, that most foreign fighters in Somalia are “concentrated in Garowe,” the capital city of Puntland State, has in fact provoked anger from our people and the Government as well, inducing us to believe that unscrupulous writer is devoid of journalism ethics and has no thought as to the consequences of his action. We dread to think how such an unprincipled person could gain access to such prominent global news agency.
 
The Government of Puntland categorically denies the claim of this AFP writer that there is an influx of foreign jihadists in Puntland, particularly in Garowe, and condemns the baseless report published by AFP and the interview it conducted with a former soldier named Ismail Haji Noor, who the interviewer himself described as a warlord who established a militia to fight Al Shabaab and their foreign allies. It is unfortunate that such character can get access to AFP and provide misleading information.
 
It is a mystery as to how such a large number of foreign fighters chose to set up base in Garowe, a relatively small town where there is law and order and a functional intelligence service, while there is unhindered fertile ground to operate in other parts of Somalia. It is even more mysterious as to how foreign fighters can roam freely in Garowe without raising public safety concerns or attracting the Government’s response.
 
Puntland State was established in 1998 as a semi-autonomous region within Federal Somalia, with governmental institutions based on the separation of power of the three branches of government – the legislative organ, the executive branch and an independent judiciary – with regular security structures, consisting of urban police, territorial police and custodial corps.
 
The current Puntland Administration came to power in January 2009 after a peaceful and democratic election, whereby former President H.E. Mohamud Muse Hersi respectfully transferred authority over to the incoming President, U.S.-educated Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole).
 
The new Puntland Administration is committed to strengthen Puntland security structure through the establishment of effective rule of law; in order to achieve this objective the Council of Ministries formed a task force mandated to assess the present of status of security forces and suggest institutional reform.
 
To strengthen and build up a strong bridge and a fundamental trust, the Puntland Administration organized a bilateral meeting between the Government and International Partners, including the United Nations, held 18-19 February 2009 in Garowe. This successful meeting allowed for a frank exchange of views and concerns that resulted in a number of practical suggestions for possible ways of addressing key areas jointly.
 
The Government of Puntland believes that Somalia does not need the creation and equipping of new militia groups, as the new warlord claims in the AFP report. Somalia has suffered too long under warlords and ruthless militia, therefore, this country needs national reconciliation and support for a genuine peace process.

For more information, contact Ali Jama Hassa, Chief Cabinet, Puntland State Mobile: +25290794030 or  email: ajgibin@hotmail.com