In a move poised to significantly reshape the political landscape of the Horn of Africa, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to visit the contested town of Las Anod this Thursday. The high-profile trip, which includes the Prime Minister and key Cabinet members, marks a bold assertion of federal authority in a region that has become the epicenter of Somalia’s battle for territorial integrity.
The President is travelling to attend the inauguration of Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye as the President of the SSC-Khatumo administration (North-eastern State). This visit follows months of diplomatic maneuvering and military realignment in the wake of Israel’s controversial recognition of Somaliland, a decision that Mogadishu has vowed to counter with “full force.”
Cabinet to Convene in Las Anod
Government sources have confirmed that this is not merely a ceremonial visit. A federal government advance delegation is already en route to coordinate security and logistics. In a rare move, the Federal Cabinet will hold its regular weekly meeting in Las Anod, effectively functioning as the seat of the national government for the duration of the visit.
This level of engagement is a direct follow-up to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s historic visit earlier this year, which laid the groundwork for the federal government’s reintegration of the SSC regions.
A Strategic Rebuttal to Separatism
Lasanod’s significance extends far beyond its borders. The city, which ousted Somaliland forces in 2023 after heavy fighting, has become the linchpin of Mogadishu’s strategy to challenge Somaliland’s claim to the entirety of the former British Protectorate.
Somalia’s representative to the UN recently underscored this strategy at the Security Council, arguing that the northern territory comprises two distinct entities: “Northwest Somalia” (Somaliland) and “Northeast Somalia” (SSC-Khatumo), with the latter firmly under federal jurisdiction. By physically convening the federal government in Las Anod, President Mohamud is operationalizing this diplomatic argument, demonstrating to the international community and specifically Israel, that Hargeisa’s authority is limited to specific clan territories.
Fears of Escalation
The visit has drawn sharp warnings from regional actors. Puntland officials have already accused the Federal Government of inciting conflict, alleging that the visit is a prelude to military hostilities against Somaliland.
Hargeisa is expected to react strongly. Somaliland authorities previously condemned PM Barre’s presence in the region as a “clear provocation” and a violation of their sovereignty. With the arrival of the Head of State and the entire Cabinet, the stakes are significantly higher.
As security forces tighten their grip on Las Anod to ensure the President’s safety, the town once again finds itself at the heart of a widening national divide, with the potential to ignite a new phase in the struggle for Somalia’s unity.
