Somali Prime Minister's Visit to Laascaanood: A Provocative Violation of Somaliland's Sovereignty
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Sunday April 13, 2025 - 17:52:24 in Articles by Xaaji Faysal
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The government of Somaliland must now act decisivelY...
In a move that has raised grave concern and heightened regional tensions, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamsa Abdi Barre, has undertaken an unannounced and provocative visit to Laascaanood—a city that lies within the internationally recognised territory of Republic of Somaliland. This visit not only constitutes a direct affront to Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also risks exacerbating an already volatile and unstable situation in the region.
Laascaanood, the administrative capital of the Sool region, has in recent times become a flashpoint for conflict and political dispute. The Somali federal government, which has consistently failed to exercise effective control over significant parts of its own territory—including those dominated by terrorist organisations such as Al-Shabaab—is now attempting to assert influence in areas well beyond its remit. This is not only hypocritical but also a highly irresponsible act of political provocation.
Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre’s decision to enter Laascaanood appears to be a calculated distraction from his administration’s many failings. The federal government in Mogadishu continues to face immense challenges in unifying fractured federal member states like Puntland and Jubaland, while progress on eradicating extremist threats remains minimal. By interfering in Somaliland’s affairs, the Somali federal government is flagrantly violating established norms of sovereignty and international diplomatic conduct—potentially jeopardising the fragile dialogue that has persisted between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
Moreover, this visit signals a worrying return to clan-based politics, a regressive strategy that has long fuelled division and conflict throughout Somalia. At a time when the region requires strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking leadership, such tactics are wholly unacceptable and dangerously short-sighted.
Prime Minister Barre, whose leadership has increasingly come under scrutiny for inefficiency and poor judgement, has made a perilous political miscalculation. This is not the move of a statesman seeking reconciliation and progress, but of a leader intent on scoring narrow political victories, regardless of the broader consequences.
The government of Somaliland must now act decisively to protect its sovereignty. This visit is far more than a symbolic slight—it is a serious violation that could destabilise the hard-earned peace and stability that Somaliland has maintained over the past three decades. Inaction risks setting a dangerous precedent and encouraging future infringements on its territorial integrity.
The international community must not turn a blind eye to this act of provocation. Failure to hold the Somali federal government accountable could embolden other actors and escalate the risk of wider conflict. Should violence erupt as a result of this ill-judged visit, the responsibility will rest squarely with Mogadishu’s leadership, whose inability to govern its own territory should preclude any claim to external authority.
In these precarious times, Somaliland must remain steadfast and unified in its resolve to defend its borders, uphold its sovereignty, and preserve the peace its people have worked so diligently to secure.
By: Abdirahman Buuni
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