Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday night held a high-level consultative meeting with traditional elders from the Northeastern State, urging them to take a leading role in strengthening unity, reconciliation and long-term stability in the region. The closed-door discussion took place in Las Anod during the president’s landmark visit to the city, a visit widely seen as significant for the future political and security direction of the area.
The meeting focused on key issues affecting the region, including reconciliation among communities, local security concerns and the broader state-building process following years of conflict, displacement and political uncertainty. President Hassan Sheikh emphasized that rebuilding trust at the grassroots level is essential for lasting peace and that traditional elders are uniquely positioned to guide communities toward that goal.
Addressing the elders, the president described traditional leaders as the backbone of Somali society and the primary custodians of peace. He stressed that their influence, moral authority and deep understanding of local dynamics give them a critical responsibility in preventing internal disputes and resolving disagreements before they escalate into violence. According to the president, no government effort can succeed without the active support and engagement of elders who command respect across clans and communities.
Hassan Sheikh highlighted that unity and social cohesion are the foundations of effective governance and sustainable development. He noted that political institutions and security structures can only function properly when communities are united and trust one another. Without solidarity at the social level, he warned, progress in governance, service delivery and economic recovery remains fragile.
The president called on the elders to take the lead in promoting reconciliation and healing the divisions caused by years of conflict. He urged them to encourage dialogue, patience and compromise among communities, especially in areas that have experienced prolonged tensions. He also stressed the importance of reinforcing trust between the public and the newly established regional administration, saying the success of the Northeastern State depends largely on local acceptance and cooperation.
During the meeting, President Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting the region’s stability and development. He underscored that the recognition of the Northeastern State was aimed at empowering local communities, improving governance and ensuring that the region plays a constructive role within Somalia’s federal system. He said the federal government views elders as essential partners in this process, not only as mediators but also as advisors in shaping policies that reflect local realities.
Elders from the Northeastern State welcomed the president’s visit and expressed appreciation for the federal government’s role in formally recognizing and supporting their regional administration. They described the visit as a sign of respect and inclusion, and said it had strengthened their confidence in the state-building process. In their remarks, the elders reaffirmed their commitment to Somalia’s unity and federal system and pledged to work closely with the federal authorities to safeguard peace and stability.
The elders also voiced their readiness to actively participate in mediation, reconciliation and conflict prevention efforts. They said they were determined to help resolve disputes through dialogue and traditional mechanisms, and to prevent renewed violence in communities still recovering from past conflicts. Their goal, they said, is to ensure that the Northeastern State becomes a model of cooperation, stability and peaceful coexistence.
The meeting highlighted the federal government’s broader strategy of anchoring state-building efforts in local consensus, particularly in regions emerging from prolonged instability. By engaging directly with traditional elders in Las Anod, President Hassan Sheikh underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue and grassroots legitimacy in shaping the future of the Northeastern State.
These consultations come at a sensitive time as the federal government seeks to consolidate authority and reduce tensions in a region that includes Sool, Sanaag and Cayn, areas long affected by competing claims and political rivalries. The president’s outreach to elders signals a focus on reconciliation and cooperation as the preferred path toward lasting peace and a stable political future for the region and Somalia as a whole.