BORAMA, Somaliland – Major demonstrations took place last night in Borama as residents protested against the planned book launch of Xeer Ciise in Zeila. The controversy emerged after the Somaliland government authorized the event to proceed in the coastal town.
Tensions surrounding the publication, which pertains to the traditional Xeer legal system linked with the Ciise tribe, have been intensifying recently in both Borama and Zeila, with numerous citizens voicing concerns about its societal ramifications.
During today’s demonstrations, preliminary reports confirm that five individuals lost their lives with nearly seven others sustaining injuries, according to sources with direct knowledge.
MP Mohamed Abib Yusuf, addressing media representatives, emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating: “President Muse Bihi Abdi must reverse his decision immediately. Military forces should be withdrawn from Borama.”
The Somaliland administration had previously prohibited the Xeer Ciise book launch in Zeila. However, this position was unexpectedly reversed today when the Information Minister officially confirmed the event would occur in the coastal community.
This sudden policy shift has further intensified the existing crisis in Borama, with some residents claiming that decisions impacting their community were made without any input from them.
The violent protest transcends mere opposition to a book publication; the title “Xeer Ciise” acts as a catalyst for unresolved political and identity divisions. In Awdal region, where many identify with the Gadabuursi tribe, promoting a legal code (Xeer) associated with the rival Ciise tribe of the Isaaq confederation is seen as a political imposition by the Somaliland government (predominantly controlled by Isaaq clans). It represents a denial of local identity and autonomy, positioning the event as an act of cultural and political dominance from Hargeisa.
The government’s initial ban on the Zeila event, followed by its unexplained approval, serves as a critical trigger for the violence. This reversal is perceived locally not as an administrative measure but as a deliberate provocation or evidence of chaotic governance. It destroyed remaining trust and signaled to the people of Borama that their objections were dismissed, making confrontation appear as the only remaining form of political expression.
The call by lawmaker Yusuf for presidential intervention and military withdrawal reveals that the Somaliland National Army is already stationed in Borama. This militarization of a cultural-political dispute transforms it into a direct challenge to state authority. The reported casualties indicate that protests have evolved beyond civil disobedience into violent confrontations with security forces thereby risking a cycle of suppression and radicalization.
This crisis reveals the fragility of Somaliland’s internal social contract, which relies on a delicate balance of tribal interests. Violence in Awdal, a region whose allegiance to the Somaliland project has frequently been questioned, delivers a significant blow to Hargeisa’s narrative of internal unity and effective governance, which are fundamental components of its campaign for international recognition. It demonstrates an incapacity to manage internal disagreement peacefully.
The conflict is inherently local but carries potential for regional spillover. It could mobilize opposition figures and sub-clans across Somaliland who feel marginalized, transforming a localized protest into a broader movement against the current administration. Furthermore, it provides an opening for external actors, including the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu, to emphasize Somaliland’s internal divisions.
The violence in Borama indicates a deeper political ailment: the failure to establish an inclusive national identity in Somaliland that transcends tribal affiliations. The government’s handling of the Xeer Ciise incident – from initial prohibition to sudden approval – demonstrates a catastrophic misjudgment of local sentiment and a confrontational approach to dissent. Resolving this crisis requires immediate de-escalation and, more importantly, authentic political dialogue addressing the fundamental issues of representation, cultural respect, and power distribution. Without these measures, Somaliland’s valued stability faces significant jeopardy.
