By Faysal Mohamed

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 7, 2007 – General Mohamoud Muse Hersi last weekend paid a visit to Ethiopia where he met with Ethiopian officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Transport and discussed on bilateral relations with the aim of strengthening ties between Puntland and Ethiopia.

In an exclusive interview with SSI Hersi explained Puntland’s relations with greater Somalia by saying, “We are a member in the Transitional Federal Government, we believe the unity of Somalia and we cooperate within the umbrella of federalism, though we are independent when it comes to many decisions”. Hersi in his recent meeting with TFG president Abdillahi Yusuf at Galkayo the two leaders held talks on the issue of revenues, which the TFG would receive from Puntland.” When all the states are formed, the Federal Government will prepare the revenue law and will pass it to the Parliament. But before that, we should take all that process”, said Hersi.

In regards to the subsequent killings in Bossaso and Puntland’s security the president said that his administration is of the belief that Puntland experiences relative calm and much of the violence is related to crimes facilitated by the weakness of government. In matters of trade and investment the president stated that Puntland had signed an agreement with an Australian company, Ranges to explore minerals as well as other companies Canmex, a Canadian based company and exploration is expected to start in 90 days.

In regards to the row with the TFG over the agreement hersi said, “We have reconciled about that; the country is now federal, and Puntland has the right to go into such agreements and exploration, and the TFG will have their share from us when it is finished. We notice the federal government whatever step we take, the president and the prime minister”.

Regarding the smuggling of people through Puntland and the resulting deaths the president indicated that his administration has been trying hard to stop the phenomenon but due to the weakness of the government and the length of Puntland’s coastline, the smuggling persists. Measures taken by the government he said included removing the boats used for smuggling from the sea, but as it became a lucrative business, people have started breaking the law.

When quizzed about dialogue with Yemen to stop the illicit smuggling of people the president conceded that talks have taken with the Sana’a government and a proposal has been agreed upon, but Yemen has not yet fulfilled its promises, which included supporting Puntland’s capabilities by controlling both coastlines. “We believe that if we cooperate in handling the issue we can succeed in this regard we are very much in need and we have asked many governments to contribute”, said the president.

Regarding the Somali national reconciliation conference slotted for April 16th the president has confirmed that Puntland would participate by sending its tribal and religious leaders.

In regards to the arrests of young boys from southern Somalia by Puntland the president defended the arrests by saying, “They were different people, some of them were found having bombs and explosive materials as well as Documents from Al qaeda and the ousted UIC, others wanted to smuggle to Yemen, where the others wanted to work in Puntland, whatever, investigation is continuing and will determine their case later”.

In regards to the comments made by a group calling themselves as the “Hawiye Clan” opposing the TFG, blaming Puntland for sending troops to Mogadishu for revenge, the president said, “ That is a baseless accusation. The national forces of the TFG were based on 4.5 [a formula which the TFG is based, meant for the major four clans, Darod, Hawiye, Dir, Digil and Mirifle, and 0.5 for the Minorities), and the troops we sent are less than 5% of our division. Those who are using Hawiyism and tribalism do have another aim. We or the other Somalis argue with President Yusuf that he gave all the power to Hawiye”.

Source: The Sub-Saharan Informer