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Former Puntland Speaker joins delegation in Las Anod ahead of SSC-Khaatumo conference, intensifying political tensions in northern Somalia as regional leaders prepare for a landmark summit to finalize the structure of the SSC-Khaatumo administration. Abdirashid Yusuf Jibriil, the former Speaker of the Puntland Parliament, arrived in Las Anod on Tuesday alongside a delegation representing the Sanaag and Haylaan regions, just days before the highly anticipated SSC-Khaatumo Regional State Completion Conference scheduled for July 10.
Jibriil’s arrival followed a fiery speech in Damale Xaggare, where he declared that the era of governance from Garowe or Hargeisa over territories stretching from Buuhoodle to Lasqoray had ended. He announced that his Warsangali community had chosen to align with SSC-Khaatumo, a move that challenges Puntland’s long-standing claim over the contested regions. The former speaker accused Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni of deploying 5,000 troops to pressure residents and exploit Sanaag’s natural resources, asserting that the communities of Sanaag and Haylaan were ready to pursue independence from both Puntland and Somaliland.
The SSC-Khaatumo conference organizing committee welcomed the delegation and formally recognized the Sanaag and Haylaan representatives as legitimate participants in the upcoming summit. The conference is expected to finalize leadership appointments, governance structures, and a roadmap for future engagement with Somalia’s Federal Government.
However, the development has sparked backlash from elders and intellectuals in Sanaag, many of whom publicly rejected Jibriil’s actions. They accused SSC-Khaatumo of attempting to “invade” territories historically administered by Puntland and blamed the Federal Government for fueling division between the Dhulbahante and Warsangali clans. Puntland President Deni responded with a stern warning, urging SSC-Khaatumo leaders to stay within their own territories and declaring, “Sanaag will never be part of the SSC”.
The dispute underscores growing friction between Puntland, the Federal Government, and SSC-Khaatumo over territorial control and clan representation. SSC-Khaatumo, which was officially recognized by Mogadishu in October 2023, has been pushing for full autonomy and federal member state status, citing marginalization and security concerns.
Las Anod, the administrative capital of the Sool region, has become a hub of political activity in recent days. Delegates from across SSC territories have begun arriving, with hotels and guesthouses filled to capacity. Security has been tightened, and local officials are working to ensure a peaceful and inclusive process.
Observers warn that the escalating tensions could derail Somalia’s fragile federalism and reignite conflict in regions already grappling with insecurity. The contested areas sit at a strategic crossroads between Somaliland, Puntland, and Ethiopia’s Somali region, making them a flashpoint for political rivalry and clan-based disputes.
As the SSC-Khaatumo conference approaches, the presence of high-profile figures like Jibriil signals a shift in regional alliances and a growing push for self-determination. Whether this momentum will translate into lasting political stability or deepen existing divisions remains to be seen.