HARGEISA, Somaliland – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has instructed the immediate withdrawal of military personnel from Borama, following violent demonstrations that spanned a day and resulted in over ten civilian fatalities.
The disturbances commenced on Thursday evening when protestors assembled in Borama’s downtown area to counter a proposed event in Sayla’ for the public presentation of the Xeer Ciise – a traditional legal document associated with the Eisa clan. Numerous Borama inhabitants, mainly from the Gadabursi community, perceived the action as an endeavor to establish territorial dominance in sections of Awdal region.
Law enforcement efforts to disperse the assembly intensified hostilities, and the demonstrations persisted into Friday. Somaliland officials dispatched extensive contingents of military troops and armored vehicles in an attempt to reestablish stability. Conversely, the confrontations grew more severe, causing numerous deaths and multiple injuries.
During a broadcast address on Friday evening, President Irro characterized the violence as “lamentable and preventable,” stating that the loss of life could have been averted through timely discussions.
“Had all parties come together with open minds, such carnage might have been avoided,” he remarked.
President Irro directed all military divisions to return to their bases and appealed to commerce leaders, tribal elders, and local academics to promptly de-escalate tensions and pursue a resolution through dialogue.
Irro additionally disclosed that an impartial inquiry would be initiated to establish accountability for the violence, assuring that those responsible – regardless of being authorities or ordinary citizens – would face consequences.
Attempting to reassure Borama residents, he emphasized that no community’s territory could be appropriated by another, allaying concerns that the Xeer Ciise publication might be utilized to bolster territorial assertions by the Eisa clan.
The intentions behind the contentious traditional law document’s public presentation remain ambiguous, as does the administration’s justification for sanctioning the event despite its capacity to exacerbate tribal sensitivities in the area.
The circumstances in Awdal continue to be strained, yet local authorities have initiated discussions focused on averting additional disturbances.
