Ali H. Abdulla (Cige)
Senior Advisor, SSC-Khaatumo

On April 14, 2025, the Federal Government of Somalia made a historic announcement—full acceptance of SSC-Khaatumo as a Federal Member State. This milestone capped a long and painful chapter in Somali history, ending decades of marginalization, occupation, and resistance.

But to truly appreciate the significance of this day, we must begin where the story truly starts—with a people who have long stood firm against domination, from colonial rule to secessionist aggression.

A Legacy of Resistance

The regions that make up SSC-Khaatumo—Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn—have a long tradition of resistance to foreign control. During the British colonial era, the people of this region fiercely resisted imperial encroachment, often paying a high price for their defiance. That spirit of self-determination endured through independence and the formation of the Somali Republic in 1960.

After the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the self-declared administration of Somaliland claimed independence from Somalia and sought to incorporate the SSC-Khaatumo regions into its territory by force—without consultation or consent. The people of SSC-Khaatumo rejected this secessionist project, remaining committed to Somali unity and the federal framework envisioned by the Provisional Constitution.

The Siege of Las Anod: A Humanitarian Tragedy

That refusal to join the secession bandwagon came at a steep cost. In early 2023, as public opposition to Somaliland’s rule erupted in mass protests, the response was brutal and indiscriminate. Somaliland forces shelled the city of Las Anod, the administrative center of SSC-Khaatumo, with heavy artillery and mortars. Over the course of the siege, more than 600 innocent civilians lost their lives, thousands were injured, and over 200,000 people were displaced from their homes.

In acts that shocked the conscience of the Somali people, Somaliland forces deliberately destroyed the city’s only source of clean water—a desalination plant, and targeted solar panels belonging to the only electricity provider, effectively plunging the city into darkness and thirst. These were not merely acts of war—they were acts of collective punishment against a population seeking unity, dignity and self-governance.

But the people of SSC-Khaatumo stood firm. After months of fierce resistance and immense sacrifice, Somaliland forces were finally defeated and ejected from Las Anod and its surrounding areas on August 25, 2023. It was a moment of victory—but one deeply etched with pain and loss. SSC-Khaatumo currently holds more than 400 prisoners of war. Some of them committed war crimes and deserve to face justice in a court of law.

A Forgotten Land: Marginalization and Mislabeling

For decades, SSC-Khaatumo was treated as a no-man’s land by the international community. Aid agencies and development partners often labeled the region as a “disputed territory”, due to overlapping claims by both Somaliland and Puntland. This classification rendered the area a developmental vacuum, a place where international donors feared to tread.

Worse still, funds allocated for the development of SSC-Khaatumo were routinely diverted to serve political interests. Rather than building schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, these funds were allegedly used to bribe elders and community leaders, pressuring them to tolerate Somaliland’s presence and its separatist agenda.

As a result, basic services in SSC-Khaatumo remained nonexistent or severely underfunded. The only functioning hospital in Las Anod was a colonial-era facility built by the British before independence—a stark symbol of the decades of abandonment the region had endured.

A Historical Parallel: Lessons from the American Revolution

To understand the fallacy of Somaliland’s claim, we need only look to the history of another nation born from colonial resistance: the United States. In 1776, thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain and formed the United States of America. Once that union was forged, the idea of one of those states—say Virginia or Massachusetts—later declaring unilateral independence because it was once a British colony would be seen as absurd and illegitimate.

This is the very logic that the people of SSC-Khaatumo are using to resist Somaliland’s unilateral secession: once Somalia gained independence and formed a unified state in 1960, no region had the right to break away unilaterally. The future of the country must be decided by all Somalis—not by any single faction.

A Turning Point: The Prime Minister’s Visit to Las Anod

In a powerful echo of the United States’ own path to independence, the people of SSC-Khaatumo declared on February 6, 2023, their intention to govern themselves under the framework of the Somali Federal Republic. They proclaimed their right to self-determination and announced the formation of an interim administration under the Federal Government of Somalia. This declaration, rooted in law and the aspirations of the people, was met with fury by Somaliland, which responded with a scorched earth campaign. Las Anod was subjected to indiscriminate bombardment, marking one of the darkest chapters in the region’s history.

A turning point in the fortunes of SSC-Khaatumo  began to take shape when, in April 2025, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre led a high-level delegation of more than 14 federal ministers to Las Anod. It was a visit that symbolized not just recognition, but reconciliation and restoration.

In a deeply moving show of solidarity, the Prime Minister and his delegation walked freely through the streets of Las Anod, without security guards, sipping tea with local residents in the city’s modest coffee shops. Their sense of safety reflected the profound trust and joy of a population that finally felt seen by their government.

In a stirring speech, the Prime Minister announced the Federal Government’s official recognition of SSC-Khaatumo as the newest Federal Member State of Somalia, affirming that it had met all constitutional and legal requirements. The news was met with cheers, tears, and waves of jubilation. For the people of SSC-Khaatumo, it was not merely political recognition—it was moral vindication.

Building the Future: From Ruins to Renewal

Recognition alone does not rebuild cities or heal wounds. But it opens the door to recovery. During his visit, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for several critical infrastructure projects, most notably a new highway connecting Las Anod to Buhodle, near the Ethiopian border. This project will revive trade between SSC-Khaatumo and Ethiopia, open new economic corridors, and symbolize the region’s reintegration into the national and regional economy.

Going forward, SSC-Khaatumo must now transform from a movement of resistance to a model of democratic governance. The region has an opportunity to lead the way by holding transparent, inclusive elections, building accountable institutions, and serving as a blueprint for other member states.

A New Dawn for Somalia

The recognition of SSC-Khaatumo as a Federal Member State is more than a political event—it is the dawn of a new chapter in Somali history. A chapter rooted in unity, justice, and shared destiny. After decades of marginalization, the people of SSC-Khaatumo are finally stepping forward not just as survivors, but as equal stakeholders in Somalia’s future.

With the right leadership, support, and national will, SSC-Khaatumo can become a beacon of hope—a region that rises from the ashes of war to inspire a nation toward federalism, peace, and prosperity.

Ali H. Abdulla (Cige)
SSC-Khaatumo Senior Advisor
Email: aliegeh@gmail.com