Saturday April 19, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somaliland has accused Somalia’s federal government of deliberately undermining regional peace and fueling conflict in northern Somalia, following Mogadishu’s formal recognition of the SSC-Khatumo administration.
In response, Somaliland’s representative to Kenya, Mohamed Ahmed Hurre (Barawani), ruled out any possibility of engaging with the newly recognized regional authority, calling it a “political invention” backed by the federal government to destabilize Sool and Sanaag.
“Our borders are over a century old and internationally understood,” Barawani told BBC Somali. “They cannot be changed through a two-day visit or political maneuvering. What the federal government is doing undermines peace and destabilizes Sool and Sanaag.”
The remarks follow Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod, where he was welcomed by local leaders and laid the foundation for federally funded development projects.
The move was widely viewed as a symbolic show of federal authority over a region Somaliland considers part of its territory.
Somaliland views the move as an intentional violation of its sovereignty and has suspended ongoing negotiations with the federal government, citing the recognition of SSC-Khatumo as a red line.
“Previous Somali governments avoided crossing this threshold. But Hamza and Hassan Sheikh have chosen confrontation over compromise,” Barawani said. “This isn’t governance—it’s incitement.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and bases its territorial claim on the boundaries of the former British Somaliland protectorate. Although no country has formally recognized it as an independent state, it has maintained a separate government, currency, and security apparatus.
The disputed SSC-Khatumo region lies at the heart of overlapping territorial claims between Somaliland and federal-aligned local leaders. Though Somaliland controlled Las Anod for years, forces loyal to SSC-Khatumo pushed them out in 2023 following deadly clashes.
The federal government argues its engagement in the region aims to promote inclusive governance and address local grievances. Residents in Las Anod celebrated the recognition of SSC-Khatumo, which they see as an opportunity to integrate more directly with the federal system.
But Somaliland officials say the move sets a dangerous precedent and weakens regional efforts to avoid escalation.
“People are entitled to express concerns, but that doesn’t justify declaring recognition from a distance and attempting to erase borders that have existed for generations,” Barawani said. “This is not compatible with international norms.”