Somaliland: Two Local Councilors from Las Anod District Defect to Puntland

Las Anod, 04 Feb 2014 (SDN) –Two local councilors from Las Anod district, the provisional capital of Somaliland’s eastern region of Sool have defected to Puntland, Moyor of Las Anod confirms. In a telephone interview with Geesk Africa newspaper, the Mayor and chairman of Las Anod district local council, Abdikadir Jama Salah, has confirmed the defection of the two local councilors.

“These two local councilors have made problems inside the council, and the council was planning to vote for their exit upon my return to Las Anod” Mayor Abdikadir said while speaking with GeeskaAfrica newspaper.

The mayor of Las Anod also denied that lack of salary was the reason behind their defection.

The two councilors, Mokhtar Mahad Awad of ruling party Kulmiye member and Abdullahi Digale Ali of Waddani opposition party were escorted from Tukaraq village on Monday morning and were warmly welcomed in Garowe by officials from Puntland Government.

Somaliland forces seized Las Anod district in October, 2007 after a battle with the Puntland army who were controlling at that time. Since that period, the region has seen several clashes between troops from both Somaliland and Puntland.

SDN Las Anod