Tuesday December 2, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) - Somaliland police on Monday arrested politician Jama Shabeel, who recently visited Las Anod and Buhodle, saying his trip amounted to “violating the existence of the Republic of Somaliland.”
Shabeel, a vocal critic of former President Muse Bihi Abdi’s policies during the Las Anod conflict, has long advocated for dialogue between Somaliland and the newly formed Northeastern state administration. During his visit, he said he was promoting peace and encouraging direct talks between the two sides.
“The Somaliland Police Force today arrested the defendant Jama Shabeel on charges of anti-nationalism and violating the existence of the Republic of Somaliland, which he recently engaged in,” the statement read. “The defendant will be brought before the country’s judicial institutions immediately.”
The police also issued a warning to others, saying they would act against “anyone involved in acts that violate the existence of the Somaliland nation.”
During his trip to Las Anod, Shabeel met with politicians and cultural leaders from the Northeast state to discuss pathways for direct negotiations and prisoner exchanges between the two sides.
Shabeel has repeatedly challenged Somaliland’s claims over disputed territories. He has argued that Somaliland “cannot achieve its claimed borders without the consent of the local population” and has frequently questioned Somaliland’s status.
“What nation are you talking about? And who recognizes it?” he said recently on Horyaal TV, insisting that Somaliland and the Northeastern administration “speak on equal terms.”
His arrest follows similar actions by Somaliland authorities. Earlier, singer Abdirisaq Anshax was detained in Hargeisa for traveling to Las Anod. Hargeisa’s Egal Airport security held him for hours before he was released; Anshax later apologized and said his trip had not been authorized by the government.
While Somaliland and the Northeastern administration are not currently engaged in active fighting, tensions remain high. The two sides have not resumed formal dialogue, and no significant prisoner exchange has taken place despite repeated calls from federal government.