HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland government has vehemently opposed the newly proclaimed Northeast administration announced in Las Anod, accusing the Somali Federal Government of instigating conflict in the Sool and Sanag regions.

Interior Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab asserted that Somaliland’s official borders are those established during British colonial rule, emphasizing that the people of Somaliland fully reclaimed their independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Somali Republic.

“The Mogadishu administration’s attempt to create conflict within Somaliland while claiming regions like Sool, Sanaag, and Togdheer demonstrates their complete ignorance of our territory,” Minister Arab stated.

The minister further alleged that international funds meant for Somalia’s reconstruction and counterterrorism efforts are being misused to undermine Somaliland’s sovereignty. He noted that most areas under the new Northeast administration remain under Somaliland’s control, dismissing their claims as limited to “small villages.”

“Somaliland will never waver in defending its people and territory. President Abdirahman Irro has convened an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to address Mogadishu’s destabilizing actions,” Arab added.

Meanwhile, the Somali Federal Government has fully endorsed the new Northeast administration, which claims authority over Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions – though it currently holds little territorial control there.

Tomorrow’s emergency meeting at Somaliland’s presidency is expected to yield strong condemnations of the new administration and clarify Somaliland’s official stance on the matter.

In a conciliatory move, Somaliland has declared a ceasefire in Erigavo, the capital of Sanaag, with local clans expected to convene there soon for peace talks.

Puntland maintains competing claims over the same territories, rejecting the Las Anod-based administration while asserting that Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn remain part of its jurisdiction.

Some residents view the new administration as an opportunity to break from what they see as alternating oppression under Puntland and Somaliland. Somaliland forces withdrew from Las Anod in 2023 after prolonged conflict.