London BBC World Service “Focus on Africa” program (in English) — 1705 GMT

There have been conflicting reports coming out of Somaliland in the last few days about the military situation. But there have clearly been some major clashes between forces loyal to President Egal and the Somali National Movement (SNM) which supports Egal’s predecessor as Somaliland’s leader, Abdirahman Tur. There were reports that the SNM had taken control of Hargeysa Airport but had been pushed back. Well, now the SNM are saying that they have got the upper hand. On the line to neighboring Djibouti, Richard Lee asked SNM spokesman Ahmed J. Botan what gains they were claiming to have made.

[Begin recording]

[Botan] We are in control of Hargeysa Airport; the military headquarters, by the name of 26 June; all military barracks; the Central Police Station; (Cellar City); New Hargeysa; and ex-Radio Hargeysa.

[Lee] So, according to you, you are in complete control of Hargeysa?

[Botan] No. We are in control of 70 percent of Hargeysa.

[Lee] Now, we spoke to President Egal this morning in his office. He said these claims were lies. We have also had independent reports from Hargeysa saying these claims are not true.

[Botan] Let me tell you this: Egal, I don’t think he is in his office. That is absolutely a lie. He is in the outskirts of Hargeysa, near (Chikiga), that is a small township within Hargeysa, and he told you this morning that I am in his office? That is absolutely a lie.

[Lee] But we have also had independent reports that your claims are not true. Surely, these sort of outrageous claims damage your credibility.

[Botan] As far as we are concerned, we have gained a lot of support, BBC, and our credibility is good. Let me assure you this: Egal’s regime is gone.

[End recording]

_{FBIS-AFR-95-162, 22 Aug. 1995, pp. 5-6}