A/HRC/12/44 page 8 The wide-ranging discussions held touched to a large extent on the concerns of his Government and people about what he thought to be the shortcomings of the Djibouti peace process, particularly the exclusion of Puntland from it. The conflict in Somalia and the role that Puntland could play in resolving the Somali crisis figured prominently, as did the measures that Puntland had already taken to fight piracy along the coast of Somalia. 24. The independent expert was impressed by the President’s commitment and dedication to the development of Puntland and by his vision on how it would help Somalia as a whole. They discussed generally the measures that the international community could take to solve the conflict in Somalia and what Puntland could do in this regard. The President expressed his displeasure at the way the Djibouti peace process was being conducted without a role for Puntland, the largest State in Somalia, running a successful administration next door to the war-torn south-central region. The independent expert is pleased to learn of the subsequent signing of a cooperation agreement between the Transitional Federal Government and Puntland in August 2009. 25. Another highlight of the trip to Puntland was a visit to Boosaaso, which hosts a large proportion of internally displaced persons from Mogadishu and other areas of south-central Somalia. The visit to the camps of displaced persons, and talking to both the long-stayers and new arrivals revealed the support and hospitality that they enjoyed from the local government, the assistance provided to them by the United Nations and other members of the international community, and the very difficult circumstances that they had to endure in a terribly hot climate. The new arrivals also provided the independent expert with useful information on the situation of human rights and humanitarian law in Somalia. III. SECURITY, HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION A. Security 26. The security situation in Somalia has turned more volatile and unpredictable in recent months. The withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces in December 2008 and January 2009, and the formation of the new Transitional Federal Government led to a lull in violence, which however resumed soon after the realignment of armed factions and groups. Insurgent attacks increased, and a new influx of foreign fighters allied to radical groups was reported. Armed attacks by the groups have, as a result, increased and become more sophisticated, coordinated and lethal. 27. The Government, with the support of AMISOM, has maintained its control of the strategic southern districts of Mogadishu, as well as the airport and seaport. Al-Shabaab and its ally Hizbul Islam control most other parts of south-central Somalia. 28. In a dramatic development, on 7 May 2009, the armed opposition groups launched a ferocious attack on the presidential palace. The Government forces, though outnumbered, succeeded in repelling the attack. A few days later, Government forces launched their first counter-attack in several months, in which they dislodged the insurgents from a number of strategic locations in Mogadishu. On 19 June, the insurgents launched yet another attack, which the Government forces again repelled. Attacks and counter-attacks thus became a regular event for some time.