HARGEISA, (insidesomalia.org) - The leader of Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland has named six new provinces for the internationally unrecognized country, according to a press statement from the Office of the President.

President Dahir Riyale signed 22 presidential degrees, effectively creating six new provinces and 16 new districts.

The new provinces – Gabiley, Badhan, Buhodle, Salal, Saraar and Odweyne – were established after President Riyale redrew the borders of long-established provinces, including Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer.

Observers said the Somaliland leader promised to create the new provinces during the 2003 presidential elections that brought him to power.

Riyale and the ruling UDUB party is up for reelection later this year, when he faces opposition from two parties who now control majority seats in the Somaliland Parliament.

On Thursday, the Somaliland leader effectively pardoned a group of 78 prisoners of war from the neighboring rival region of Puntland.

The move came following private meetings between President Riyale and clan elders from the town of Buhodle, sources in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa told Garowe Online.

Somaliland and Puntland have fought several times over control of Sool and Sanaag regions, with Somaliland troops successfully capturing the capital of Sool last October.

Source: Garowe Online

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