Breakaway State Warns New Nation

October 15, 2004

Nation Reporter And Agencies
Nairobi

The breakaway republic of Somaliland will use force if its borders are threatened with the election of the new president.

The republic, which has declared its independence, is fiercely opposed to President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who last month laid claim to the two border regions of Sool and Sanaag.

Before his election, Mr Ahmed was president of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.

Both Puntland and Somaliland claim the border regions of Sool and Sanaag and clashed over the territory last month.

Addressing a news conference at State House before yesterday's swearing-in ceremony, President Ahmed urged for reconciliation and forgiveness.

"I hold no grudges, but I will seek their cooperation. They should work with me so that we help the Somali people to get out of the fiasco and quagmire they are in," he said.

His election has not been well received by Somaliland, which has been independent for 13 years but without international recognition.

It did not take part in the peace process, insisting it was sovereign.

"We remind all concerned that the government and the president elected in Kenya is for Somalia and not Somaliland," Information minister Abdillahi Mohamed Du'ale said in a statement.

The Somaliland government has urged the international community to find a solution to the problem of Somaliland before there is any confrontation.

"The people of Somaliland and its government are ready to confront any enemy that tries to violate its borders and territory," Mr Du'ale said.

In August Somaliland leaders urged their counterparts in Somalia, Igad member states, the African Union, the UN and donor countries to abstain from any unfriendly declaration or acts against the territory.