SOMALILAND URGENT APPEAL FOR HUMANITARIAN DROUGHT RELIEF AID.

Somaliland pastoral population depend on the yearly rains which provide water and animal fodder(grass) which is the main economic income for the pastoral population. Since 2007, the yearly rain fall amounts have been steadily decreasing and 2009 has provided little or no rain to relieve the continuing drought. The drought also had affected a large number of the urban households who earned their income and food source from livestock marketing and trade. The drought had affected all the regions of Somaliland and 1.4 million people are at a risk of food shortage. Somaliland government is appealing to the international community to help avert a serious and a imminent catastrophic humanitarian disaster.

SUSPECTED TERRORISTS ARRESTED BY SOMALILAND SECURITY FORCES.

Somaliland security forces arrested two men who are suspected to be members of Al Shabab terrorists. The suspects were traveling in two separate 4 wheel drive cars and were apprehended by Somaliland Border Guards on two different security check points near the city of Burao. The suspects are currently in custody and both the National Security Agency and Criminal Investigation Department are involved in the investigation and both suspected are expected to appear in court soon. Both men where captured before Somaliland independence day which was on 18 May, after security services tightened the border checks to ensure the celebration ceremonies take place peacefully.