Somaliland Welcomes Defection of North Eastern State MP Who Once Fought Against Hargeisa

LAASCANOOD – A member of the North Eastern State parliament, Fahiima Yuusuf Abdullahi Quuje, has announced her resignation and defection to Somaliland, a dramatic reversal for a figure who was a prominent voice in the region’s resistance against Hargeisa’s authority.

In a public statement issued on Friday, Quuje declared that she had resigned from her parliamentary seat and renounced the cause of Somaliweyn (Greater Somalia), which she had previously championed. She stated that she has “returned” to Somaliland, the self-declared republic she had fought against in the 2023 conflict in Laascaanood.

Quuje’s defection comes just days before the North Eastern State parliament was scheduled to consider a motion to lift her parliamentary immunity following a request from the state’s Prosecutor General’s office. Reports indicate that Quuje left the region before the motion could be tabled. She is currently believed to be in Addis Ababa and is expected to receive a warm welcome in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital.

A Key Figure in the Laascaanood Conflict

Quuje was a vocal supporter of the North Eastern State movement, which ousted Somaliland forces from Laascaanood in 2023 after months of intense fighting. The conflict, which began with protests against the Somaliland administration, united local clans and led to the establishment of the North Eastern State (formerly SSC-Khatumo) as a federal member state of Somalia. Quuje was seen as a symbol of the region’s defiance against Somaliland’s territorial claims.

However, in recent months, she had reportedly grown critical of the North Eastern State administration led by President Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye. Her defection appears to be the culmination of mounting political tensions within the regional government.

Legal Proceedings and Parliamentary Action

Quuje’s resignation follows a request by the North Eastern State Prosecutor General on 10 July 2026 to lift her parliamentary immunity. The Prosecutor General’s office had filed charges against her for what it described as “national betrayal.” The parliament had scheduled a session for 18 July 2026 to vote on the motion, but Quuje left the region before the session could take place.

The North Eastern State parliament, which elected Adan Abdullahi Aw-Hassan as its inaugural Speaker in August 2025, has now taken disciplinary action against Quuje. According to reports, 56 members of parliament voted to strip her of her immunity and privileges, effectively expelling her from the assembly. Speaker Dr. Aadan Abdullahi Aw-Hassan confirmed the decision, which came after the Prosecutor General’s office formally submitted charges against her.

A Pattern of Defections

Quuje’s defection is the latest in a series of high-profile political shifts between Somaliland and the North Eastern State. In 2023, the deputy leader of Somaliland’s ruling Kulmiye Party, Hussein Aden Adde, defected to North Eastern State, commending the region’s resistance against Somaliland forces. The same year, Somaliland’s Speaker of Parliament, Abdirisakh Khalif Ahmed, also resigned to join the North Eastern State movement.

These defections highlight the fluid nature of political allegiances in the region, where clan loyalties and territorial claims remain deeply contested. The North Eastern State, formally recognized by the Federal Government of Somalia as a federal member state, has been at the centre of a broader struggle over Somalia’s territorial integrity.

A Historic Reversal

Quuje’s decision to renounce the cause of Somaliweyn and embrace Somaliland is a significant development in the region’s political landscape. Her active role in the Laascaanood conflict made her a symbol of resistance against Somaliland’s territorial claims. Her defection is likely to be celebrated in Hargeisa as a propaganda victory, while in Laascaanood, it will be viewed as a betrayal of the region’s struggle.

The move also underscores the fragility of the North Eastern State’s political institutions, which are still in their infancy. The region’s parliament was only established in 2025, and its ability to maintain cohesion and loyalty among its members remains untested. Quuje’s departure raises questions about the stability of the regional administration and its capacity to govern effectively.

Way Forward

The defection of Fahiima Quuje is a reminder of the deep divisions that continue to shape Somalia’s political landscape. While the Federal Government has sought to integrate the North Eastern State into the federal system, the region remains a flashpoint in the broader struggle between Somalia and Somaliland. Quuje’s decision to switch sides reflects the personal and political calculations that often drive allegiances in the region, where loyalty to clan and territory frequently trumps ideological commitments.

As Quuje prepares to be welcomed in Hargeisa, the North Eastern State administration faces the challenge of consolidating its authority and maintaining the support of its constituents. The success of the region’s institutions will depend on their ability to deliver services, ensure security, and build a sense of shared purpose among a population that remains deeply divided by clan and political loyalties.