Garowe, March 29 – Ahmed TAAJIR, a 19th century local hero, famous trader and king’s Representative symbolizes the complexities of Bendar Qassim (Bosaso), deriving its ancient name from the founder of this coastal town on the shores of the Red Sea in the 14th century.
The commercial city of Puntland Sate of close to one million residents is a metropolitan seaport centre and International Airport, hosting thousands of internally displaced people, Ethiopian migrants, fortune hunters, fishermen of multiple nationalities, traders of livestock, handcrafts, from all over Somalia and beyond, and merchants of every trade imaginable, including those practising in urban decadence industry.
Bosaso is also a recent attraction of extremist elements of pseudo-religious affiliations bent on murder and assassinations of prominent members of the society, including professionals, politicians, religious leaders and state security personnel.
The numerous city’s sub-clan composition, historical tensions between and local rivalry for trade and politics is 2nd to none in Somalia. Mogadishu cannot even come close, despite the opinions of many to the contrary.
Bosaso is the main seaport of Puntland, traditionally exporting the world famous native frankincence, fish of every type and name, red lobster, huge livestock population and much more.
Bosaso Port is now ensnared in contraversial long-term contract with P&O of Dubai, UAE. Nobody, except former Puntland President, Gaas, and a very few of his close advisers, has ever seen the secret business deal. In the opinions of many and according to some reports, President Gaas didn’t transfer the documents on the P&O – Bosaso Contract to his successor strangely.
President Deni took considerable time of his learning curve period holed-up in Garowe, the State Capital. He is paying now a much awaited visit to Bari Region, but on his way to Bosaso, he couldn’t afford by-passing the City of Qardho, Karkaar Region, in order to soothe and smooth-up some post-election hard feelings there.
Once in Bosaso to address the complex issues of security, economy, Port, on the top of the balancing act required to check and reign in the bickering nature of Bari factional sub-clan system, he will be on the spot to show understanding of the complexities and competing interests of the residents of Bosaso in-waiting to test the leadership skills of the New President.
Definitely, Reer Bari will resort to their local political trade-mark motto or refrain, “Aa la tahay” ( Who he thinks he is?)
Ismail@ismailwarsame.blog
Warsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN) 