Galkayo (Sunatimes) Celebratory gunfire erupted Galkayo town on 11 November, 2012, at 04:30 pm, when former Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alin formally announced that he hands over power to the new president Mohamud Abdi (Timo kala-Jeh). Shots were fired by forces loyal to the new president who were delighted for his inauguration.

South Galkayohas witnessed armoured vehicles (aka technicals), armed forces and civilians celebrating for the new president. Other residents were terrified by the gunfire. Women and children sought shelters, while those in North thought that there was clash between the Galmudug politicians who were struggling since August 2012 for the presidency.

A large number of those people felt relieve when the gunfire turned out to be celebratory shots for the inauguration of the new president. It was believed to be a show down by the forces loyal to the new president to warlord Abdi Qaybdid who once claimed to be the president of Galmudug state.

Abdi Qaybdid who was accused of committing genocide and atrocities by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch felt weaker in politics when Former President Alin handed over power to the new President Timo Kala-Jeh who was elected in an election conducted and organized by the same electoral commission who oversaw President Alin’s election.

The new President of Galmudug State Dr. Mohamud Timo Kala-jeh is an intellectual who worked with the Somali Central Bank, and wrote a book about Somalia’s economy. He is believed to be one of those who were controlling Galmudug behind the scene. This means hewas not far away from the presidency of Galmudug State.

Galmudug which is an abbreviation of Galgaduud and Mudug regions is a member of the Somali road map signitories. Finally, after 3 months of power conflict, Galmudug has got a legal, constitutional president.

By Abdisalan Abdulle