Somalia
Somalia: Tax sharing center of heated dispute among Lower Shabelle officials
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Oct 24, 2007 - 4:45:39 PM

MARKA, Somalia Oct 24 (Garowe Online) -  A meeting in the southern Somali provincial town of Marka ended in dispute Wednesday after Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur proposed changes to the region's tax sharing system.

Governor Nur chaired a meeting that included district commissioners from across Lower Shabelle. The new tax sharing system would appropriate 40% of government revenue to the district administration, 30% to regional security and 30% to regional development.

The district commissioners of Afgoye and Wanla Weyn protested against the governor's proposal and demanded changes to his plan, according to sources at the meeting.

Afgoye and Wanla Weyn are two districts where the Marka-based regional administration collects most taxes from, including at commercial checkpoints, airports and businesses.

The day's meeting ended in failure after the influential district leaders refused to accept Governor Nur's proposal. A political dispute has been brewing between regional and district leaders in Lower Shabelle for months.

The home of Governor Nur was attacked by unknown gunmen and several police officials assassinated in recent weeks.

On Monday, regional troops dispatched by Governor Nur from Marka tried to forcefully take control of a strategic checkpoint in Wanla Weyn district, leading to a clash that killed 3 soldiers. [ Full story]

Source: Garowe Online