Somali president calls for immediate ceasefire after dozens were killed in Somaliland

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for a ceasefire after clashes in a disputed town in the breakaway region of Somaliland left at least 13 people dead.
Tensions have been building in Las Anod, the capital of the contested Sool region, since December last year, as the region has been a point of conflict between Somaliland and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, both of which lay claim to the territory. Each side accuses the other of starting the fighting, with Somaliland insisting it was defending itself from aggression by forces from the Puntland region. “The reason for the confrontation is not due to animosity, but for political reasons,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.

“Therefore, we are sorry and not happy about what is happening there. … Respect the interest of the people, lay down arms, and stop the fighting. Start negotiating.”

The conflict in the Sool region runs deep and cannot be solved without resolving the Somalia-Somaliland dispute. The fighting in the Sool region could also impede the ongoing campaign by the federal government in central regions where it could undermine military operations against al-Shabab. Clan elders, who had been meeting in Las Anod before the fresh fighting started, said in a communique that they reject the administration of Somaliland over the territory, proposing instead that the region be governed by the federal government in Mogadishu. As tensions flare again, the federal government and the break-away region might need to directly engage with one other to avert more killings and to create room for the resumption of long-delayed talks between Somaliland and Somalia.