News Update

Demonstrations in Hargeisa, Somaliland today. 2 dead. Several wounded, including a woman seven months pregnant who was shot in the chest. 2 came to Edna Hospital for treatment. Both car and tire fires in city center, with some small arms action.


Confrontation spurred between local activists and police/army regarding recent disputes with the current President. Here is a brief summary:

• Presidential elections are set for the end of December
• President Dahir Riyale Kahin, who has been in power since 2002, has now become "unpopular" and the people would like to see him no longer in power.
  
• Feeling threatened, the President has continued to postpone elections to retain his power.
• Parliment met this past week to vote on an impeachment of the President.
• The Presdient locked the Parliment building this week as a result of the impeachment discussions.
• Today the Parliment was reopened, however only non-opposition members were allowed in (19/70).
• Riots broke out as a result.

There is increased security at the hospital. A city-wide curfew has been instituted. As foreigners, we will not be able to leave the compound. There is a 2 step evacuation plane in place: first with a relocation within Somaliland, and one out-of-the country.

We are safe. And now we will wait.

For more information:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hknsVpxWSlniQtkVJBgXC-AmyWdA
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=13677&tirsan=3
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8243835.stm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-07-voa35.cfm