In Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia which declared itself independent in 1991, the gigantic fire in the capital’s central market plunged the country into mourning overnight from Friday to Saturday. But this tragedy also aroused international solidarity, including from Somalia, from which the region broke away thirty years ago.
For Somaliland, the destruction of the central market in Hargeisa is a national tragedy. Because it is the economic lung of this poor and isolated country that has disappeared: nearly half of the country’s economy, 2,000 shops with their stock, but also an entire neighborhood charred, in ruins, in the heart of its capital. .
The president of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi went there as soon as the gigantic fire extinguished, after 48 hours of intervention. Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Moge, in front of the smoking rubble, for his part was sorry: ” The city has never known such a calamity “. Thirty people were injured, including women who were trying to save what could be.
Solidarity momentum
But this disaster has raised a great movement of solidarity with Somaliland. The United Kingdom, which once colonized the region, expressed its friendship and readiness to help, as did Ireland.
Even the Somali President, mohamed farmajo, telephoned his Somaliland counterpart to express his support. And its Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble announced the release of 11 million dollars for this region which nevertheless declared itself independent in 1991 and with which relations have since been at loggerheads.