Berbera, Somaliland, May 13, 2006 – One of Somaliland’s leading traditional leaders has accused the United Nations organizations of weaving plots in order to undermine Somaliland’s independence.

Boqor Osman Mahmuud known as Buur-Madow claimed that the UN system was bent on building an army and military infrastructures for the Transitional Federal Government of warlord president Abdillahi Yusuf.

“UN chartered planes had been used for the transportation of Italian supplied weapons to the TFG in Galkayo and in Jowhar last year. The TFG is Somaliland’s enemy and we cannot pretend otherwise” said Boqor Osman Buur-Madow.

The traditional leader told the Somaliland Times that he was astonished to hear a statement by Security Council calling for the respect of arms embargo on Somalia. “People in New York may say whatever they want, but the reality on ground is that the UN has become one of the biggest violators of the arms embargo.”

According to the Boqor, the UN has in the last 2 years been diverting funds donated specifically for projects in Somaliland to the TFG.

Boqor Osman Mahmud accused the UN of denying developmental assistance for Somaliland while willingly paying extortion money to Abdillahi Yusuf and even warlords such as Habeeb, Haabsade and others.

“It is a pity that the international community’s assistance is being spent on covering the costs of the TFG’s frequent travels across the globe while the majority of Somali children suffer from severe malnourishment” said Boqor Osman Mahmud.

The traditional leader criticized the Somaliland government for keeping silent about the UN intransigence toward Somaliland. He also pointed out that despite president Rayale’s announcement in March that his government would have no contacts with the UNDP’s Enric Laroche, there were government officials who corresponded with him.

“I call on those ministers,” he said “to stop stabbing Somaliland in the back.”