Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has commended Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s landmark visit to Laasanood, the administrative capital of the SSC-Khaatumo region, highlighting its significance in promoting peace and development.
President Mohamud expressed regret over the violence, emphasizing the Federal Government’s neutrality in local disputes. He framed Prime Minister Barre’s visit as a critical step to ease tensions, describing the conflicts as “dormant but unresolved” with detainee issues as a key barrier to peace. Refuting social media claims that the visit worsened unrest, Mohamud stressed Barre’s goal of fostering a “conducive environment” for dialogue and reconciliation, aiming to prevent further violence through careful mediation.
The President’s remarks come as he extended an invitation to the SSC Khatumo administration to the forthcoming National Consultative Council leadership talks in May, displaying bold move of the Federal governments recognition of the administration.
Prime Minister’s Development Initiatives
Barre’s visit, the first by a senior federal official since SSC-Khaatumo’s establishment, was met with a warm reception from local leaders, federal officials, military personnel, and hundreds of residents at Laasanood Airport. Under the “DanQaran” initiative, which seeks to enhance national cohesion and service delivery, Barre launched eight major projects to improve infrastructure and public services.
Barre underscored these projects as essential for delivering services, boosting economic growth, and bridging gaps in a region marked by historical neglect. He committed to further initiatives, signaling a long-term focus on inclusive development.
By reinforcing its presence in SSC-Khaatumo, the government aims to foster lasting peace and unity, navigating the region’s complex dynamics with a focus on reconciliation and progress.
The SSC-Khaatumo region, encompassing Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn, has faced significant conflict, particularly in Laasanood, due to disputes over governance and territorial control. In late 2022, tensions escalated following the assassination of local leaders, sparking protests by the Dhulbahante clan. On February 6, 2023, Somaliland security forces cracked down on these protests, triggering heavy fighting with SSC-Khaatumo forces.
The conflict saw Somaliland’s prolonged military campaign, including artillery bombardments, displacing over 200,000 people and causing hundreds of casualties. By August 2023, SSC-Khaatumo forces expelled Somaliland troops from Laasanood after the battle of Goojacadde, establishing control over much of the Sool region. Somalia’s Federal Government recognized SSC-Khaatumo as an interim administration on October 19, 2023, marking a shift toward integration with Mogadishu.
Sporadic clashes continued into 2024, notably in Buqdharkayn and Erigavo, with a reported death toll exceeding 25 in renewed fighting by late 2024. A military stalemate persists along a frontline 100 km from Laasanood, with underlying grievances over detainees and territorial claims fueling tensions.