Deputy Parliamentary Speaker insists Puntland was aware of humanitarian trip

Deputy Parliamentary Speaker insists Puntland was aware of humanitarian trip 

Source: Hiiraan Online, Tuesday July 12, 2022

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somalia’s first deputy speaker of the Lower House, Sadiyo Yasin Samatar, has denied allegations by the Puntland regional state that the regional administration was unaware of her trip to Bossaso.

Samatar said that she informed the traditional elders and administration of the Bari region of her plans to travel to Bossaso with seven tonnes of humanitarian aid for the people of the Bari region.

advertisementsPuntland interior minister Mohamed Abdirahman Dhabanad told local media that the delegation did not contact authorities to arrange to receive them and added that Puntland is ready to work with the federal government.

She continued, saying that the pilot insisted he did not have enough fuel despite being told to return to Mogadishu while the plane was in the air. Samatar added that she contacted Ahmed Karaash, the vice president of Puntland, and had given the order for the food to be unloaded.

At least ten people were killed in a confrontation between Puntland Security Forces (PSF) and Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) over receiving the aid. PSF forces waiting to escort the delegation clashed with PMPF forces implementing the order from authorities.