Somaliland appoints new leader

A seven-day period of mourning has been declared

The self-declared republic of Somaliland has sworn in a new president only a few hours after the death of its leader, Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, in a hospital in South Africa.

The vice-president of Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin, was inaugurated at an emergency meeting attended by senior government officials, according to a provision in the constitution, officials said.

Mr Kahin later said that Mr Egal's body will be flown back to the republic's self-declared capital Hargeisa on Saturday before being buried alongside his father in the port town of Berbera "according to his last wishes".

A seven-day period of mourning has also been declared and Mr Kahin has called on the people of Somaliland to pray for their late president.

Mr Egal, who had been undergoing treatment for a number of ailments - ranging from rheumatism and hypertension to diabetes and cancer - died from what are described as complications following surgery.

Treatment

He was elected as president of the breakaway republic in 1993, but neither his position nor the independent status of Somaliland have ever been internationally recognised.

We have not received what we really wanted most, and that was recognition of Somaliland.

Mohamed Egal

Reports said Mohamed Ibrahim Egal had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in the South African city of Pretoria for the past 10 days, but he had not been responding to treatment.

He died early on Friday morning, aged around 80 - although no-one seems to know his precise date of birth.

Mr Egal was elected leader of the self-declared republic by a council of elders drawn from the region's main clans.

Instability fear

In an interview with the BBC three years ago, Mr Egal said he was disappointed that Somaliland's development as an independent state had not been acknowledged, and he rejected any suggestion of reunification with Somalia.

"They are split into 20 parts you know (referring to Somalia), each one ruled by a warlord who knows nothing but killing and mayhem.

"Our people are prepared to talk to Somalia - we are prepared to help them find their way - to try to give them the benefits of the lessons we've learned here.

"We have not received what we really wanted most, and that was recognition of Somaliland."

Old rivalries

Mohamed Egal had just had his term of office extended for another year in a final bid to secure the international recognition he craved.

But he did not live to see his dream realised.

The fear is that after a decade of relative stability, the death of Mohamed Egal might prompt old rivalries to re-emerge.