Tuesday July 15, 2025
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, center, chairs a consultative meeting with leaders of the Waddani, Kulmiye and UCID parties at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The closed‑door session focused on rising tensions in eastern Sool and preparations for the 2026 elections. (Photo: Somaliland Presidential Press Office/Screengrab)
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro held a high-level meeting Tuesday with leaders of the region’s three political parties to address growing external threats to Somaliland’s sovereignty, rising tensions in eastern Sool, and preparations for the 2026 elections.
The closed-door meeting at the Presidential Palace brought together chairpersons from the Waddani, Kulmiye, and UCID parties. It marked the first official political dialogue convened by President Irro since taking office in January, aimed at reinforcing national unity and strengthening Somaliland’s democratic institutions amid regional instability.
Presidential Spokesman Hussein Adan Igeh (Deyr) said the meeting was “part of the President’s ongoing efforts to deepen national consensus, safeguard political stability, and strengthen Somaliland’s democratic resilience during a period of critical national and regional significance.”
A key focus of the talks was the SSC-Khatumo conference underway in Laascaanood, where delegates are working to establish a separate local administration for the Sool and Sanaag regions. Somaliland authorities condemned the initiative and accused the Somali federal government of supporting it behind the scenes.
The city of Laascaanood has been under the control of SSC-Khatumo forces since early 2023, following violent clashes that ousted Somaliland troops.
“The meeting condemned the continued and unlawful interference by the Federal Government of Somalia in the eastern parts of the Sool region—a blatant attempt to destabilize Somaliland and undermine its territorial integrity,” Deyr stated. “These actions were characterized as provocative, irresponsible, and a direct challenge to the peace and order preserved by Somaliland through decades of self-governance.”
The president, according to the statement, “emphasized that the vitality of Somaliland’s democracy depends on sustained engagement among political stakeholders and collective stewardship of the national interest.” He underscored the importance of regular, structured consultations between the executive and opposition parties as a “cornerstone of the Republic of Somaliland’s democratic ethos and a guarantor of its long-term stability and credibility.”
In a joint political tone, the parties reportedly reaffirmed their commitment to “working collaboratively in safeguarding national cohesion, advancing electoral preparedness, and reinforcing the foundations of democratic governance.”
During the meeting, party leaders discussed the scheduled May 31, 2026, elections for the House of Representatives and local councils. The issue of completing voter registration was prioritized.
Kulmiye spokesperson Mustafe Shiine confirmed that discussions addressed the situation in Laascaanood and election preparations.
“There was consensus that the situation in eastern Sool, where tensions have persisted in Laascaanood, must be revisited and jointly addressed through dialogue to reach a unified decision,” Shiine said.
“The parties also agreed that the political organizations and the electoral commission should make a final decision regarding the voter registration process.”
In addition, opposition leaders questioned President Irro on his recent foreign visits to Kenya and Qatar. While some expressed concern over the lack of public information surrounding the trips, the president reportedly pledged to release a detailed report outlining the objectives and outcomes of those missions.
The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Somaliland’s position on defending its territory and political order.
“The Republic of Somaliland hereby reaffirms its sovereign right to defend its territory and institutions and calls on the international community to take a clear and principled stance against Somalia’s destabilizing conduct, which threatens not only Somaliland’s security but also the wider stability of the Horn of Africa,” the statement said.