Badhan— Former Federal Planning Minister Gamal Mohamed Hassan has voiced strong support for the upcoming Sanaag regional conference set to be held in Ceel-Buh, calling it a legitimate and long-overdue opportunity for the people of the region to determine their future.

Gamal, a seasoned politician from the Sool, Sanaag, Cayn, and Haylaan regions, emphasized that residents have every right to gather peacefully and discuss their shared interests without external interference.

“This is a rare and important moment. The people of Sanaag deserve the chance to deliberate on their future in peace,” Gamal said in remarks to Goobjoog Media. “These opportunities do not come often—they must be protected and utilized.”

The planned conference has drawn criticism from some quarters, but Gamal dismissed the opposition, claiming it is driven either by personal political agendas or allegiance to Somaliland’s separatist movement.

“Anyone opposing this gathering falls into one of two categories: those who support Somaliland’s secessionist ambitions, or those pursuing narrow, self-serving interests that run counter to the will of the local communities,” he stated.

Gamal also issued a stern warning, saying that any attempts to disrupt or block the conference would be met with accountability, and that those seeking to silence community dialogue would bear full responsibility for the consequences.

His remarks come amid growing political friction over the future of the Sanaag region, which lies at the heart of a long-standing territorial dispute between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somaliland administration.

As Ceel-Buh prepares to host what could be a defining moment for the region, Gamal’s statements reflect a broader call among federalist leaders to allow local communities greater political agency and space to determine their own path forward.

WardheerNews