By Mohamed Sougal

For years, Baidoa-based warlord Abdillahi Yusuf Yey has meticulously avoided the issue of the Puntland-Somaliland tug of war about Sool. Delusionally claiming to govern both Somaliland and Puntland, Yey has stuck to his hypocritical “above the fray” stance while at the same time arming and training the Pro-Puntland militia in Lascanood. At multiple instances, TFG militias have been shipped from Mogadishu and Kismayo when it become obvious to Adde Musse that Lascanoders were about to get rid of his ragtag militia.

However, today, Abdillahi Yusuf decided to finally drop the mask. He sees the situation in Lascanood as Somaliland army occupying Puntland territory. Never mind if Lascanoders chose to chase away Puntland militias. Despite the fact that Lascanoders are in charge at all levels in Sool. So why is Yey quickly abandoning his years long policy of hypocritical neutrality to move to a full backing of Puntland? The recent dramatic surge in momentum of the Somaliland recognition bid undoubtedly provides the answer. It appears that Yey has been summoned by the TFG warehouse sheltered parliamentarians to take on a more aggressive stance towards Somaliland in a desperate attempt to undermine Riyaale next visit to the US.

In a more serious note, by deliberately tribalizing the issue, Yey is setting off a dangerous precedent, which in turn will make impossible any attempt of nation building in Somalia. Indeed, Yey is talking about Lascanood in terms of a clan overtaking another one territory, despite all the facts pointing to the contrary, how one can justify the presence of Puntland troops in places like Guriceel, Kismaayo, Jowhar and Mogadishu? How can Yey claim to rule Mogadishu and deny Somaliland administration to take hold on Lascanood?

All Lascanoders and Abdillahi Yusuf know that Lascanood is infinitely better off today than it was three months ago. Law and order are improving, solid municipal, judicial and police institutions have been built, and NGO are flocking to Sool at a time where there quitting all TFG administered regions. Thanks to the initiatives of Sool political and military elites, the region has been rescued from the chaos engulfing Puntland, be it human trafficking, piracy, hostage takings and daily bombings.

But true to his nature and past, Abdillahi Yusuf is trying to sabotage anything that represents a threat to its dictatorial rule. Even if it amounts to destroying the newly found stability of Lascanood. Exactly how destroying Puntland peace did not matter when the democratically defeated Yey used all means necessary to hang on to power in the late 90.

Bottom line, it appears that Yey is ready to enflame the whole region to save his power. We, Lascanoders Abroad, wish to tell him: not in our names.

For Lascanoders Abroad,

Mohamed Sougal

mohamedsougal@yahoo.com