Somalia: UN condemns mass eviction of people from Las Anod by Somaliland

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Nations and several NGOs have criticized the ongoing mass eviction of people from Las Anod in the Sool region under Somaliland, with authorities targeting those believed to be "non-locals", mainly from southern Somalia.

At least 1,000 people have been kicked out of their homes in what Somaliland calls "operations to boost security". Many of those affected have since been resettled in northern Galkayo by the government of Puntland under Said Abdullahi Deni.

In a statement, the United Nations coordination office confirmed that the forcibly displaced people are now camping on the outskirts of Galkayo, Mudug Region, and Garowe in the Nugaal Region. "They are in urgent need of protection and humanitarian assistance. Thousands more are reportedly on the way. They have lost their shelter, assets, and livelihoods," UN added.

"Humanitarian partners in Galkayo and Garowe towns are coordinating a rapid humanitarian assessment to establish the number of affected people, their immediate needs and, in collaboration with the local authorities, to a temporary shelter. Reports indicate that the people being forcibly displaced from Las Canood have lived there for nearly 20 years."

The incident, the UN said, could degenerate into a serious humanitarian crisis. The UN urged Somaliland to restrain itself from causing havoc in the Horn of Africa nation, adding that human rights should be respected.

"The situation has the potential to stoke tensions and exacerbate vulnerability with profound humanitarian consequences. We urge the authorities to act with restraint and find a sustainable way forward which would respect the rights of the dignity of all affected people without delay," the UN noted.

Somaliland police chief defended ongoing rounding up and expulsion of communities from southern Somalia. Brigadier General Mohamed Aden Saqadhi said the operation is security-related. He said the request originally came from the locals in Las Anod.

Meanwhile, two elders in Las Anod including the chairman of a local committee on Sool security affairs Ismail Elmi Mohamed have denied knowledge of the plans to expel southern communities by Somaliland. Mohamed tells VOA he has not been informed. "It’s unacceptable," he said.

Somaliland claimed to have seceded from Somalia in 1991 but Mogadishu maintains that the region still remains her territory. In recent months, Somaliland has been pushing for international recognition but failed all attempts after 30 years of struggle.

GAROWE ONLINE