Somalia: SSC-Khatumo will not be part of Puntland, elders say

LAS ANOD, Somalia - The newly formed SSC-Khatumo administration will not be part of Puntland state, elders announced on Saturday, in what could further complicate the political matrix in the northern region of Somalia which has been facing Somaliland in a bloody war.

SSC-Khatumo broke up with Somaliland state after months of chaos which left hundreds of people dead early this year and would later lean towards Puntland after managing to cut ties with Hargeisa. There were indications that they would join Puntland.

Traditional elders from the region announced that no candidate would be allowed to run for the Vice President post in Puntland in the upcoming polls, effectively "killing" the alliance that had been touted by local leaders.

The elders sanctioned two members of SSC-Khatumo serving in the Puntland Elections Dispute Committee to resign with immediate effect. The decision was reached in Las Anod, a town in the region that has been witnessing chaos for some time.

SSC-Khatumo comprises of Sool, Sanag, and Cayn [SSC] regions which have been a long time under the administration of Somaliland before the war. The Council of Elders also refused to elect 17 lawmakers who will participate in Puntland presidential pills.

A leading elder Garad Jama, emphasized the unity and solidarity of the people of SSC-Khatumo. The region wants to have a separate administration that will be recognized as a state, they said.

SSC-Khatumo elders have been pushing for the creation of a new state that will be part of the Federal system in Somalia. Puntland elections are scheduled for January 8th and President Said Abdullahi Deni is said to be seeking a second term in office.

GAROWE ONLINE