Hargeisa Feb 11, 2023 (SD) – Today, the headquarters of Somaliland in Hargeisa hosted a meeting between the three political parties in Somaliland. The leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in the city of Las Anod in Sool region.

The outgoing President of Somaliland and Chairman of the ruling party KULMIYE, Muse Bihi Abdi, chaired the meeting discussing the Las Anod and the election dispute between the parties.

The three National parties agreed that the fighting in Las Anod should be resolved peacefully and that any hostilities should cease immediately.

They appealed to their respective supporters to remain calm and peaceful in light of the ongoing situation.

In regard to the election dispute, the three parties have agreed to set up a committee of three members each to help find a peaceful solution. The parties also agreed to work together toward national unity and reconciliation.

Some opposition supporters and disenfranchised individuals in Somaliland are calling the meeting disappointment and see it as a growing disconnect between the people and the government that has been exacerbated since the onset of the Lasanod fighting.

The news comes as a fierce battle continued in Laascaanood, the capital of the Sool region for the sixth day straight. The battle lasted for hours, after the warring sides ignored a ceasefire agreement, leading to the violence that erupted in the city.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant losses of life and property, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Somaliland troops have reportedly shelled the city, with some casualties reported.

The SSC traditional leaders condemned the Somaliland military intervention in Laascaanood and called for international intervention to stop the conflict.

The traditional leaders also requested that an independent fact-finding mission be sent to Laascaanood to assess the situation and provide a report to the international community.