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 LAS ANOD, (insidesomalia.org) - The Vice President of Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland arrived in the disputed town of Las Anod on Wednesday, where he received a mixed welcome from local residents.
Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, Somaliland's vice president, was welcomed in Las Anod by Somaliland-appointed regional officials, including Sool Governor Ali Sandule.
Mr. Yasin's delegation, backed by several armored vehicles, included Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a controversial Las Anod politician who was instrumental in Somaliland's takeover of Sool region in October 2007.
Mr. Habsade is a former Puntland government minister, but defected over to Somaliland after Puntland President Adde Muse sacked him and ordered his arrest.
Somaliland VP Yasin's speech to Las Anod residents, which was broadcast live on Radio Garowe, centered around security, humanitarian assistance and clan relations.
"We are here to help and to establish an administration that is better than the one before it [Puntland]," VP Yasin told the crowd.
Locals said hundreds of people demonstrated in a different part of Las Anod to show their displeasure with the presence of Somaliland government officials.
The protests were peaceful and the location where Vice President Yasin gave his speech was under heavy security, sources said.
It was Mr. Yasin's first visit to Las Anod in his capacity as the Vice President of Somaliland.
In 2002, Somaliland President Dahir Riyale was chased out of Las Anod by local militias loyal to Habsade, who was then pro-Puntland.
A Las Anod politician who did not wish to be named said neither Puntland nor Somaliland is able to establish an effective administration for the region of Sool.
"There are divisions within the [Sool] community," the politician said, adding: "Both sides [Somaliland and Puntland] only bring troops and rule Las Anod like a military front."
Source: Garowe Online
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