Somalia: Puntland VP pays working visit to Bosaso city

BOSASO, Puntland – The Vice president of Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state has arrived in Bosaso on Sunday evening, for his first visit since his election last January, Garowe Online report.

Ahmed Elmi Osman, who is also the acting president of the Federal State, was welcomed by Puntland security minister, city’s mayor and Bari regional officials as well as local residents.

In a Twitter post, Osman said his working trip is aimed at assessing the security situation of the region, the effects of the recent floods and the humanitarian response by the government to mitigate the crisis.

"I paid my first visit to Bosaso to access security situation of Bari region, the impact of the flash floods and humanitarian response to mitigate further damages," he said.

The VP is expected to hold a meeting with the officials of the state security agencies, local traditional elders and members of the public, according to a statement by the presidency.

His visit comes a day after Al-Shabaab has seized control of Af-Urur village near Bosaso city after Puntland defense forces deserted their bases over what officials called military tactics.

In June 2017, Al-Shabab launched a deadly attack against Puntland army base in Af Urur, killing dozens of state soldiers and civilians while confiscating a cache of weapons and ammunition.

GAROWE ONLINE