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Hargeysa, Somaliland, September 13, 2009 — Three people died and six
were injured on Saturday when Somaliland police used live rounds and
tear gas to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters in the
increasingly tense in Somaliland.
Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace compared with the rest of Somalia
since the Horn of Africa nation plunged into anarchy in 1991. But
persistent delays to presidential elections have worried rights groups
and angered the opposition.
Politicians traded blows in parliament on Tuesday and one lawmaker
pulled out a pistol after officials agreed to debate a motion to impeach
the president over the delays. The poll set for September 27 was
postponed at the start of week.
The opposition-led House of Representatives was due to resume business
on Saturday, but when it failed to reopen angry protesters burned tires
along the main road in the Hargeysa.
Initially restrained, the police fired tear gas as crowds neared the
presidency and then shot over the heads of the demonstrators when then
hurled stones, eyewitnesses said.
They said a youth died from a shot to the head and a woman was among the
killed. Three of those injured were police.
Somaliland's president blamed the chairman of the House of
Representatives and the main opposition party for the unrest.
"Political problems and disturbances can be solved through dialogue.
Using force will give an opportunity to the country's enemies to give
more fuel to the disturbances," said President Dahir Rayale Kahin.
"My door has been open for dialogue and is still open. We are ready for
discussion but we are also responsible for the security of the country.
I see that such an uprising is not good for the people, the nation and
its development," he said.
The violent protests came two days after the African Union said it was
concerned about rising tensions in Somaliland following the election
postponement.
Somaliland is governed by the elected House of Representatives and an
upper house made up of clan elders. The House of Elders has twice
extended President Kahin's mandate and it is now due to expire on
October 29.
The spokesman for the traditional leaders trying to resolve the crisis
said they had agreed to meet the House of Representatives chairman later
on Saturday for talks.
Sheikh Aden Sira, a prominent religious leader speaking after midday
prayer in one of the largest mosques in Hargeysa, said the president
should step down.
"You have ruled enough and it would be good if you resign before more
blood is shed."
Source: Reuters
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