Sunday April 13, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland opposition parties have condemned Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre's visit to Las Anod, calling the trip a violation of Somaliland's territorial integrity and an incitement to conflict.
Abdiweli Sheikh Suufi, a senior official with the Kulmiye party, accused the Somali federal government of orchestrating a "blatant invasion of Somaliland territory" under the guise of a development mission.
"Instead of addressing the insecurity in Mogadishu, the Somali government has chosen to export instability to the Sool region," Suufi said.
The opposition also criticized Somaliland's government for what they described as a weak and disjointed response to the high-level visit.
"The government has failed to respond in a unified and forceful manner. Ministers are speaking individually, not with a united national voice," Suufi added.
Leaders from the Kaah party also denounced the visit, describing it as a direct attack on Somaliland's sovereignty. "The visit by the Prime Minister of Somalia to Las Anod is an egregious violation of our territorial rights," a senior Kaah official said. "Sool remains part of Somaliland."
The Somaliland House of Representatives called for an immediate suspension of all talks with the Federal Government of Somalia and demanded concrete steps from Hargeisa in response to what it called "interference in Somaliland's internal affairs."
In contrast, the Federal Government of Somalia defended the Prime Minister's visit, characterizing it as a milestone in national unity and state-building. Prime Minister Barre, who arrived in Las Anod on Saturday, was warmly received by SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, federal lawmakers, and hundreds of local residents.
Barre's visit—the first by a sitting Somali Prime Minister in over five decades—aims to solidify cooperation with the SSC-Khaatumo administration and initiate regional development projects. During the visit, he is expected to meet with local elders, youth, women, and civil society groups. Officials say the Prime Minister will also launch infrastructure, education, and service delivery initiatives funded by the federal government.
Las Anod has remained at the center of a bitter territorial dispute involving Somaliland, Puntland, and SSC-Khaatumo administration, which seized control of the city in early 2023 following widespread protests and a deadly crackdown that resulted in more than 1000 deaths and displaced over 150,000 people. Since then, SSC-Khaatumo has aligned itself with the federal government and is seeking recognition as a federal member state.