Las Anod, Somalia – Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in Las Anod on Saturday in a landmark visit aimed at bolstering relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and the SSC-Khaatumo interim administration. The visit marks the first by a sitting Somali Prime Minister to the Sool regional capital in over five decades.
Prime Minister Barre and his delegation were warmly received at Las Anod Airport by SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, regional officials, and a large crowd of enthusiastic residents. The historic nature of the visit underscores Mogadishu’s deepening engagement with local administrations across the country.
During his stay, the Prime Minister is expected to hold meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, including traditional elders, youth representatives, women’s groups, and SSC-Khaatumo officials. Discussions will center on peacebuilding, accelerating development, and enhancing cooperation between federal and local authorities.
Federal government officials have confirmed that Prime Minister Barre will inaugurate a series of development projects funded by Mogadishu, with new initiatives to be launched aimed at improving infrastructure, education, and public service delivery throughout the Sool region.
The visit takes place against a backdrop of renewed tensions with Somaliland, which continues to claim Las Anod as part of its territory. In response to threats from authorities in Hargeisa, the SSC-Khaatumo administration reaffirmed its control over the city and assured full security for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Las Anod has long been the focal point of a complex territorial dispute involving Somaliland, Puntland, and the SSC-Khaatumo movement. The SSC-Khaatumo administration has rejected the authority of both Hargeisa and Garowe, opting instead to align itself with the Federal Government in Mogadishu.
The region descended into conflict in early 2023 after the assassination of a prominent local official, sparking mass protests and violent confrontations. The clashes resulted in over 300 deaths and displaced more than 150,000 people. Somaliland forces eventually withdrew from the city later that year, allowing SSC-Khaatumo to assume control.
