Nugaal Governor Decries Security Situation in Garowe

Nugaal Governor Awil Hassan: “Garowe will have its security rating downgraded if the security situation does not improve.”

Garowe (PP News Desk) — The Governor of Nugaal Mr Awil Hassan Tohyare yesterday urged security forces to deal with the deteriorating security situation in Garowe. “If the security situation does not improve the international organizations will downgrade the security rating of Garowe” said the Governor, who attended a meeting held to discuss security matters.

The Governor of Nugaal has blamed illegal liquor sellers for the spate of nighttime armed clashes in Garowe. The adminstrative capital of Puntland is major center for smuggling liquor illegally imported from Ethiopia. “Senior security officers have a vested interest in the illegal business and put the security of Garowe at risk” an official of the local government told Puntland Post anonymously.

Last month, militias loyal to an influential local man exchanged fire with the police force following altercation between the man and a police officer at Golis telecommunications office in Garowe.

The local government and Garowe police are reportedly planning a campaign to fight the perception that freelance local militias threaten security of Garowe. “Land disputes in Garowe often lead to violence. People see former leaders and key traditional leaders owning large plots of land often acquired illegally. This is a problem that fuels insecurity in Garowe. Liquor smugglers are not solely responsible for the dire security situation in Garowe” said a retired civil servant, who now works in traditional arbitration of land disputes in Puntland.

© Puntland Post, 2022