"We caution him against interfering in affairs beyond his jurisdiction,...
Hargeisa – The Government of Somaliland has issued a firm condemnation of what it terms the deployment of federal Somali forces to parts of the Sanaag region, warning of serious repercussions and placing direct responsibility on Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Speaking at a press briefing in Hargeisa on Monday, Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, criticised the federal government in Mogadishu for what he described as a clear overreach of authority by interfering in Somaliland’s sovereign territory.
"We caution him against interfering in affairs beyond his jurisdiction,” Minister Ayaanle stated. "The longstanding peace and mutual respect upheld by the people of the Sanaag region will be protected. There is no room for Hassan Sheikh within our borders.”
The statement follows reports that Somali federal troops had staged a protest on Sunday in response to unpaid salaries, accusing the federal authorities in Mogadishu of misappropriating international aid earmarked for stabilisation efforts. According to sources, the funds were allegedly diverted to incite instability in otherwise peaceful regions such as Sanaag.
The Somaliland government reaffirmed its commitment to preserving order and promoting unity among the communities in the disputed area. Officials underscored their ongoing efforts to ensure peace prevails across the region.
In a strongly worded follow-up, Somaliland authorities further accused the Somali federal government of acting as an agent of destabilisation. Referencing the 2023 unrest in Las Anod, officials alleged that Mogadishu played a direct role in escalating tensions in that district, resulting in violence and displacement.
"The weak and fragmented administration in Mogadishu has proven itself time and again to be a source of division, not unity,” one official remarked. "Rather than addressing internal challenges such as clan reconciliation and the fight against al-Shabaab, they have sought to undermine Somaliland — a beacon of peace and democratic governance in the Horn of Africa.”
The government also issued a warning to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his cabinet, urging them to refrain from further interference. "Any continued provocation will be met with appropriate consequences,” the statement read.
Somaliland further called upon the international community to reconsider its support for the Somali federal government, arguing that international aid is being misused to perpetuate instability. The statement urged donors to instead support grassroots peace initiatives among southern Somali clans and push for a national reconciliation process led by local stakeholders.