By Mohamed Sougal

Six months and half after Puntland militia was driven out of my hometown Lascanood and while Somaliland Vice President is in the midst of a highly successful trip in Sool, it is worthwhile to remember the numerous achievements of Laaska new authorities. When Cadde Muse rag tag militia was chased away, civil servants had not been paid in years. Those in the front lines have been accustomed to rooming the streets and ransacking downtown businesses. School and hospitals were non-functioning and daily routine was about a painstaking struggle about securing some meagre quantities of water.

What a change half a year makes. Civil servants are paid on time, Lascanood hospital in now fully operational while high school students are in the crunch time before the final exams. Today Lascanood is among the safest cities in Somaliland and law and order is maintained by a professional new police force. The usual revenge killings (Aano Qabiil) that were the sad hallmark of Lascanood are nowadays a thing of the past.

On the political front, Lascanood political dream team (Qaybe, Xaabsade, Fuaad Adan Cadde, Sandule, Mahad Cambashe) are efficiently teaming up in order to advance Sool and Buhoodle political agenda. Among their most recent milestones,

- the liberation of colonel Dayr Isakatoos and the full integration of Buhoodle to Somaliland institutions. Thanks to the active mediation of Lascanood new authorities, colonel Dayr and his co prisoners were very well treated to the extent that the colonel thanked his former jailers. Taking aback these miserable Puntland media that disseminate for weeks news of mythical prisoners tortures.

- under the leadership of Mahad Cambashe, the safe transfer of the weapons stationed in Yagoori. In a sign of fading animosity and renewed nationhood, local elders and politicians were able to work out with the national army, the conditions under which Somaliland forces took possession of the weaponry.

On the heels of these major successes, witnessing the Vice-President, Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, warmly welcomed by thousands of people and followed by dozens of privately owned cars is hardly surprising. What a contrast with the last visit of Cadde Muse when Puntland strongman, after snubbing the late Garaad burial, was greeted to the tune of jeers and burnt tires. Welcome in Lascanood, Mr VP. Good governance and respect for the local population always pay off.

Mohamed Sougal

Soolsomaliland.blogspot.com