Harmony Amidst Turmoil: Upholding Somaliland's Government in Resolving Las'Anod Conflict

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In the heart of the turbulent Horn of Africa lies Somaliland, a bastion of peace and stability amid recent turmoil in Las’Anod. Conflict between the Somaliland National Army and multiple factions, including the Dhulbahante clan, Puntland, and Al-Shabaab, has sparked opposing narratives

 In the perpetually tumultuous Horn of Africa, Somaliland has distinguished itself as an enclave of peace, democracy, and stability. However, recent strife in Las’Anod, the capital of the Sool region, involving the Somaliland National Army and militias affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan, Puntland, and other mixed armed groups, has sparked contentious and irreconcilable narratives regarding the conflict's origins. Traditional leaders in Las'Anod, who instigated the war, assert their actions as defending their community against escalating insecurity and advocating for self-determination, justifying their stance with a common aspiration to reconnect with Somalia. In contrast, Somaliland attributes the conflict's inception to "terror groups."

Somaliland's history is rooted in a protracted struggle against Somalia's dictatorship regime, leading to its independence from the Union of Republic of Somalia in 1991. Las’Anod, situated in the Sool region on Somaliland's eastern periphery, shares its border with Puntland, a constituent of the federal government of Somalia. The genesis of the conflict stemmed from Garaad Jama of Dhulbahante declaring war against Somaliland, aiming to secede and realign with the Federal Government of Somalia. This declaration catalyzed the destruction of essential services, including hospitals and schools, plunging Las’Anod into chaos, prompting widespread displacement and jeopardizing the populace's livelihoods.

Somaliland asserts its sovereignty, tracing its legitimacy as the successor to the former British Somaliland Protectorate, including the territorial claims within its original borders. Conversely, Puntland's claims to the Sool region are founded on kinship ties to prominent Darood clans in the area.

The demarcation of African land borders by colonial powers has long been a source of conflict. The principle of border intangibility, as decreed in Resolution AHG/Res. 16 (1) during the Cairo Summit in July 1964, underscores the sanctity of existing borders at the time of independence within the Organization of African Unity framework. Therefore, Las'Anod falls within Somaliland's territory based on the African colonial borders, dismissing Puntland's claims rooted in tribal lineage.

The conflict's narrative has diverged drastically, leading to a polarized struggle exacerbated by the involvement of various global stakeholders, including diasporas, journalists, academics, and other lobbying entities, disseminating disparate interpretations of the conflict's genesis across social media platforms.

Somaliland, lacking de jure recognition and situated amidst perpetual regional conflict, faces threats from militant groups like Al-Shabaab and pirates, aggrieved by Somaliland's non-confrontational stance.

The assassinations targeting local elites, active since 2009 following Somaliland's military expulsion of Puntland from Las’Anod, potentially bear the hallmarks of a Puntland-led strategy to foment conflict between Las’Anod residents and Somaliland, evident from victims' affiliations with the Somaliland system.

However, internal political discord within Somaliland, marked by postponed elections in 2022 and clashes between security forces and civilians during demonstrations, has added to the volatile landscape.

Amidst this turmoil, the urgent need for humanitarian aid for displaced women and girls in Las’Anod remains unmet, obstructed by the actions of local leaders on both sides, necessitating immediate de-escalation, civilian protection, unimpeded humanitarian access, and peaceful dialogue as advocated by international communities.

Somaliland, equipped with the requisite expertise and resources, must navigate these internal challenges while addressing the unresolved issues in the Sool region to avert further external interference and the perils posed by groups like Al-Shabaab.


Yousef Timacade is a lawyer, legal analyst, and commentator with over a decade of experience in program management, research, and human rights advocacy. He holds master’s degrees in both law and executive management, which have equipped him with a unique blend of legal expertise and leadership acumen. Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous national and international non-governmental organizations, driving impactful initiatives in the areas of human rights, policy development, and social justice. Currently, Yousef serves as the Country Coordinator for Somalia and Somaliland at SIHA Network, where he leads efforts to advance women's rights and advocate for marginalized communities.

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