By: Yusuf M Hasan
Somalilandsun- The government of Somaliland and authorized partners are solely in charge of drought relief efforts in the country.
This was stated by the interior minister Prof Yasin Mahmoud Hirr ‘Faraton’ in Hargeisa.
Minister Faraton who was reacting to media reports alleging that Puntland troops are conducting drought relief activities in Badan district of Sanaag region, told Dawan newspaper that the information was very erroneous.
Said he, “While we are fully in-charge of drought relief activities nationwide we are also not aware of any foreign troops undertaking such anywhere in Somaliland” adding that the country’s security personnel are in control at Badan
According to the reports negated by the interior minister, the Somalia administrative region of Puntland propaganda machinery had informed that a contingent of its Dervish militia was on drought relief operations in the Somaliland region of Sanaag specifically its Badan region.
“Anybody can shout at the rooftops over any issue false or true through unscrupulous media Chanel’s but the fact on the ground is that no foreign troops are in our territory” said Minister Faraton.
Somaliland and other regions of the Horn of Africa are suffering from one of the driest years in memory. The drought has also resulted in Severe shortages of food and water, along the deaths of livestock, thus not only plunging many families into destitution.