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The ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan arrived in Las Anod on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, widely known as Firdhiye, who has been elected as the president of Somalia’s Northeastern Regional State. Their presence, alongside other international and regional delegations, marked a significant diplomatic moment for the region and highlighted growing external support for Somalia’s ongoing state-building efforts.
Officials described the visit by foreign diplomats as a strong signal of backing for peace, stability and the consolidation of federal governance in an area that has experienced years of conflict and political uncertainty. For residents of Las Anod, the event was seen as both symbolic and practical, reflecting renewed attention to local governance and a broader effort to restore normal political life after prolonged instability.
The participation of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan carries particular political weight. All three countries have publicly rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and have consistently supported Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Their attendance at the inauguration was widely interpreted as a clear message of support for the Federal Republic of Somalia and its authority over all its regions, including areas that have been disputed in the past.
Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, who joined the delegation, reaffirmed Ankara’s long-standing position in favor of Somalia’s sovereignty and unity. He emphasized that Türkiye remains committed to supporting peace, social cohesion and development across the country. Türkiye has been a key partner to Somalia for more than a decade, providing assistance in security, infrastructure, education and humanitarian support, and its continued engagement was welcomed by both federal and regional leaders.
In addition to the ambassadors, a high-level ministerial delegation from neighboring Djibouti also arrived in Las Anod to take part in the inauguration ceremony. The visit further underlined strong regional support for Somalia’s political process. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met the Djiboutian delegation late Friday at his residence in Las Anod, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
During the meeting, President Hassan Sheikh expressed deep appreciation for Djibouti’s long-standing role in supporting Somalia, particularly during periods of conflict and political transition. He described Djibouti’s support as historic and consistent, praising its firm stance in favor of Somalia’s independence, territorial integrity, peace process and efforts to rebuild state institutions. Djibouti has often played a mediating role in Somali political affairs and has hosted key reconciliation conferences over the years.
The diplomatic activity in Las Anod comes at a time of heightened regional and international attention following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a move that Somalia has strongly rejected. Mogadishu has described the recognition as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and international law. The decision has been widely condemned by African, Arab and Islamic countries, many of which have reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity.
In the wake of the controversy, Somalia has received broad international backing for its position, strengthening its diplomatic stance. At the same time, federal and allied forces continue to maintain control over parts of the Sool region, which has been claimed by Somaliland but has increasingly aligned itself with the federal government since early 2023.
Las Anod’s political importance has grown significantly since the withdrawal of Somaliland forces after months of intense fighting last year. The city has since become a focal point for federal efforts to extend governance, restore security and rebuild trust with local communities. The formal inauguration of the Northeastern Regional State leadership is viewed in Mogadishu as a critical step toward consolidating federal authority and reinforcing Somalia’s territorial unity.
As Somalia navigates shifting regional alliances and complex political challenges, the strong turnout of foreign and regional delegations in Las Anod sends a clear message. It reflects growing diplomatic support for Somalia’s federal system and signals confidence in the country’s efforts to move toward lasting peace, stability and inclusive governance.