APD Team continues Activities of Sahil and Togdheer Regions

The Apd team consisting of the three Pillars of Peace and the AVU unit has reached Berbera, Capital of Sahil region on the 3rd of July embarking on their activity plan by engaging the local community members. The members of the delegation met with the acting Governor of the region, Mr Mohamed Muse Abdale, and later with the mayor of Berbera Town, Mr Abdale Mohamed Arab as well as members of the local council. They also conducted separate interviews with the local elders, the youth, women groups and minority groups such the Arabs and Gabooye.

During these engagements, issues raised included local council activities and state of social reconciliation as well as the general public participation in the democratization process. Individuals interviewed highlighted the effects of the harsh weather conditions on the economy of the region and the general well being of the population. During the team’s visit, high velocity winds range from 80 to 100 km/h and humid, high temperature reaching up to 45 degree Celsius has been the prevailing climatic condition hampering all activities in the region.

	APD executive Director Mohamed Saed Gees with Sahil region governor Mr.Mohamed Muse Abdalle		APD team with Women and youth Groups in Berbera		APD team with Elders in Sheikh district

APD Team with the Vice-governor of Togdheer Mr. Guleid		APD team with the three political parties representatives of Togdheer region		Mohamed Gani, APD's team leader and lead researcher with Women groups in Burao

Security officers and government authority personalities emphasized the prevalence of peace in the region. They noted, specifically, that the numbers of deaths that have taken place in Berbera have resulted only from excessive heat exposure. About 8 to 10 people have died along the coastal areas in the past few months who were mostly mentally disturbed persons.

The Apd team proceeded to Togdheer region on 7th of July via Sheikh District where the team met the groups of youth, women and other civic society members. During the Apd team stay in Burao, they visited Odwayne and Qori-lugud districts. Interview made with significant members of the society such as elders and intellectuals revealed significant shortcomings in the socio-reconciliation process of the country. It also showed that communities in Burao enjoyed relevant peace mainly as a result of local initiatives and trust building on the initiative of varying community groups. The local council underlined major accomplishments in their encounter with the APD team such as the garbage collection, food aid distribution and peace organs, consisting of elders, established in conjunction with the police force.

The APD team was informed that despite general drought conditions in the region, there is relative security and peace in the region at large. In the past, Burao use to be the center of the livestock trade in the country, but this has been affected by the livestock export ban and therefore trade at the market place dwindled to significant low numbers.

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