Badhan, Sanaag, Somalia—From February 23 to March 11, 2025, a consultative conference on the self-determination of the Maakhir region was held in Badhan. The conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including politicians, traditional elders, intellectuals, scholars, youth representatives, women’s groups, media professionals, and cultural

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions and analyses of the region’s political, economic, cultural, security, and social challenges. Detailed reports were presented, providing an in-depth assessment of the current state of the Maakhir region and outlining key areas requiring attention.

At the conclusion of the conference, the delegates reached a consensus on a series of resolutions aimed at addressing these challenges and advancing the self-determination of the region.

1. The conference extends its heartfelt condolences to the fraternal clans affected by the violent clashes in Dureera Valley, Sanaag region. We pray for Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in the conflict and for the swift recovery of the injured. The conference calls for peace and reconciliation among the Warsangeli sub-clans impacted by the unrest in the Dureera Valley. We urge all parties to honor the memory of those lost by fostering peace and unity, ensuring that this tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of coexistence and dialogue.

2.  The conference underlined that the unity of the country and the sovereignty of the nation are inviolable and rejected any attempt to divide the Somali people.

3. The conference reaffirms the 1993 Hadaftimo Declaration, clarifies that the Maakhir community has never been part of the Somaliland secessionist administration,  and vehemently rejects any attempt to dismember Somalia’s territorial integrity.

4. The conference decided to set up an interim independent administration for the Maakhir areas to manage their interests and administer their territories regarding justice, development, security, and good governance.

5. The delegates to the conference unanimously elected representatives for the Maakhir administration leadership, selecting them based on their skills, expertise, integrity, courage, and experience in the field.

6. The conference calls on the Somali people and the international community to stand in solidarity and work with the newly established administration of the state of Makhir to maintain security and address humanitarian and development  issues.

7. The conference declares that the city of Erigavo is part of the Maakhir administration and must be liberated. The conference also warns against anyone who is directly or indirectly interfering in our internal communal affairs and the illegal extraction and exploitation of Maakhir lands’ natural resources and orders them to cease all illegal activities.

8. The conference would like to thank the Maakhir diaspora around the world, particularly the diaspora community in the United States, for their vital assistance and participation in arranging the conference.

9. The conference also thanked the Federal Government of Somalia for welcoming the Maakhir administration and supporting federalism and the extension of the federal government.

10. Finally, the conference congratulates the newly elected leadership, President Ali Fatah and his VP and asks the Maakhir community to work with the President as he forms a capable and unitary executive council.

For more information, contact: Jama Farah, Badhan, Sanaag, Somalia

Mohamed Elmi, ahafinance@gmail.com