Garowe, 18 April 2008 - Angry demonstrators took to the streets of a regional capital in north Somalia Friday, protesting against hyperinflation and the continued printing of counterfeit Somali Shillings, Radio Garowe reported.

The protest in Garowe, capital of the self-governing region of Puntland, started off peacefully with hundreds of people walking up and down the town's main roads.

But protestors burned tires and blocked roads with stones as the day progressed, forcing a few businesses to close their doors.

Garowe residents said most business centers are closed on Fridays to mark the weekly day off in Islamic countries, when Muslims congregate at local mosques to listen to Friday sermons.

The protestors were led by a group of young men, some armed with light weapons, as they marched up down the Puntland capital's main avenues and demanded that the regional authority take measures against criminals printing false Shillings.

In recent months, hyperinflation has led to a higher exchange rate for the U.S. dollar. As of Friday, $100 U.S. dollars was exchanged for 3,200,000 Shillings, a dramatic rise in a short period of time.

Extra police units in Garowe were deployed to set up barricades to block protestors from coming close to government buildings, including the State House and several ministry headquarters.

Today's protest becomes the third time Garowe locals have rioted against hyperinflation and the rising price of common goods since July last year.

Mohamud "Adde" Muse, the president of Puntland, is on a weeks-long visit abroad as the region digs deeper into insecurity, economic collapse and political disintegration.

Also on Friday, locals across Puntland towns reported that Friday sermons focused primarily on major issues facing the region, including drought-affected districts, growing insecurity and hyperinflation, which has led to record-high prices for food and other necessary goods.

Source: Garowe Online