Following a violent suppression of a popular uprising in the Sanag Region’s town of Dhahar, the Federal Government of Somalia issued a statement condemning the Puntland Administration’s use of live bullets to subdue the crowd.
“The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is deeply saddened by today’s heinous act in Dhahar, Sanaag region, in which Puntland security forces deliberately used force and gunfire on residents of the town during a peaceful demonstration.
Any act of violence against unarmed civilians is unacceptable.
The Federal Government of Somalia calls for the maintenance of peace and stability, and for the protection of the people.
In response, the Puntland regional government has accused Minister of Planning Jamal Mohamed Hassan of being behind violent protests in Dhahar district in Sanaag region.
Puntland government spokesman Jama Deperani said the demonstration in Dhahar was organized by President Farmajo and Federal Government Minister Jamal Mohamed Hassan.
Jama Dabarani, said Minister Jamaal wanted to start anarchy in Dhahar district, but they did not succeed in doing so, and the Dhahar demonstration did not suffer any casualties.
He also denied that Puntland forces used force and gunfire to stop the protests, pointing out that the forces were providing security for the protesters in Dhahar.
“President Farmajo and Jamaal organized the demonstration to provoke chaos in Dhahar, but it did not go as planned, no one was killed and no one was injured. It ended peacefully and the security forces maintained security,” said Puntland presidential spokesman Dabarani.
Minister Jamaal, dismissing allegations that he had organized the protests, said Puntland forces had used heavy weapons and live ammunition against peaceful protesters in Dhahar.
In a brief statement on his Twitter account, the minister described the use of heavy weapons and live ammunition as “unacceptable” for peaceful protesters.
He added that President Deni should be held accountable for his actions, but noted that Puntland had denied reports of gunfire against the people of Dhahar.
