
Wednesday July 9, 2025

Garowe (HOL) — A group of traditional elders from the Sanaag
and Haylaan regions issued a statement on Wednesday rejecting efforts to
incorporate their territories into the newly recognized SSC-Khaatumo
administration, as political figures and other elders from the regions are
expected to attend a major conference in Las Anod next week.
The elders emphasized that both Sanaag and Haylaan have been
part of Puntland since its founding in 1998 and remain fully integrated within
the state’s political and administrative structures. They called on Puntland
authorities to reinforce development efforts and maintain security in the
regions.
In their statement, the elders asserted that no political
conference had been held among local clans and denied authorizing any
representatives to attend the SSC-Khaatumo State Completion Conference, set to
begin on July 10 in Las Anod. They said no legitimate political decision had
been made to align the regions with the SSC-Khaatumo administration.
The group demanded a formal apology from SSC-Khaatumo for
what they described as interference in the internal affairs of Sanaag and
Haylaan communities. They accused the administration of undermining regional
harmony, stability, and longstanding neighborly relations.
The elders also appealed to the international community,
stressing that they are not party to any new administration or political
agreement and have not delegated any authority to representatives attending the
Las Anod conference.
They urged the Federal Government of Somalia to uphold its
constitutional duties and avoid actions that could incite division among
closely linked clans, warning that political meddling could destabilize the
fragile peace in northern Somalia.
The statement comes a day after former Puntland Parliament
Speaker Abdirashid Yusuf Jibriil arrived in Las Anod with a delegation he
claimed represents Sanaag and Haylaan. Abdirashid accused Puntland President
Said Abdullahi Deni of deploying 5,000 troops to pressure local residents and
exploit regional resources. He stated that his communities are ready to pursue
independence from both Puntland and Somaliland.
The escalating tensions highlight a deepening rift between
Puntland, the federal government, and the SSC-Khaatumo administration over
territorial control and clan representation in northern Somalia. The situation
remains highly volatile as preparations continue for the upcoming conference in
Las Anod.