Monday January 23, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - The supreme traditional clan chief of Sool, Sanaag and Ayn regions, Garad Jama Garad Ali, arrived in Las Anod town on Monday, marking his first visit since 2007 when the Somaliland administration took over the city.
The traditional delegation, led by the clan chief, received the largest-ever welcome in Las Anod town, with thousands of people waving the Somali flag and filling the streets to greet the delegation.
Speaking in the center of the town, Garad Jama Garad Ali accused Somaliland of being behind the events in the city where over 20 civilians were killed during anti-Somaliland protests.
The clan leader said Hargeisa would no longer govern Las Anod. He stated that the people of Las Anod have always fought for the unity of Somalia, but they will not be happy to divide Somalia.
"There is no separation of Somalia. Our regions will not be separated from Somalia. We are Somalis. We will always be Somalis. The blood of our ancestors was not shed for free. Their blood was shed to establish a single Somali republic. We are looking for those absent; we will not separate for those on the fence, "Garad stated.
He also stated that they would only engage in dialogue with Somaliland authorities once they leave the SSC areas.
Somaliland's Water Minister Ali Hassan Mohamed (Ali Marehan) described the arrival of the Garad Jamac as a man who came back home.
"Jama Garad Ali is an excellent intellectual with a long history and one of Somaliland's most prominent intellectuals. So if he comes to Las Anod, he is a man who has come to his hometown and is welcomed by his people, he said. Ali Marehan.
Anti-Somaliland government protests erupted earlier this month after a politician was shot dead, leading to clashes with police in which over 20 other people were killed.
Security forces in the Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland withdrew from the contested border town of Las Anod after days of deadly protests. The city is claimed by Somalia's Puntland State but run by Somaliland.