Puntland announces decision over land dispute in Bari region
By: Hussein Farah
1/10/ 2009
On Wednesday, the autonomous region of Puntland State, Northeast of Somalia, has announced their decision on resolving, the year old land dispute in Bari region.Today, the official documentation released by the office of Puntland’s President, Dr.Abdirahman Farole, stated that all tribes will withdraw their militias and residents from the disputed land.
The decision of the Puntland administration, which consisted of an eleven points document drafted by a committee of elders, government officials and religious leaders, called for the demolition of all construction buildings in the disputed area.
“….all tribes and clans in the region have welcomed the government’s efforts to solve the dispute….” said Mr.Adan Mohamed of the Presidential secretariat, in a press conference in Bosaso city.
The government of Puntland warned any individuals or groups from either side, who may undermine the decision of the government and the peace efforts would be brought to justice.
The disputed land called Igdheys area is part of Dharor valley, east of Bari region, it is a grass land that tribes use for their cattle, in the rain season.
The violence began in 2008, after militia from Ali Saleban tribe moved to the area, building houses and water reservations, the move infuriated Ali Jibralih tribe, which traditional inhabited the area
The land dispute between the tribes of Ali Jibrahil and Ali Saleban, have claimed the lives of more than 50 people, since the start of the violence, in October 2008.
