Lasanod (WDN) – Somalia’s Federal Government has announced plans to revive the 26th Command of the Somali National Army (SNA), a military formation that disappeared with the collapse of the Somali state more than three decades ago. Yet despite the symbolic significance of the announcement, many political observers in Las Anod believe the military initiative is little more than a distraction from the real purpose of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s latest visit.
According to widespread local opinion, the Prime Minister’s trip is primarily aimed at addressing the politically sensitive issue of Somaliland prisoners of war still being held following the conflict over Las Anod, rather than launching a major restructuring of Somalia’s military command.
The Federal Government has presented the reactivation of the 26th Command, to be headquartered in Las Anod, as part of its broader effort to rebuild the Somali National Army’s historic command structure and strengthen its security presence in northern Somalia.
Advance units of the Somali National Army arrived in Las Anod ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, where he is expected to formally inaugurate the Northern Regions Command. Before the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the 26th Military Command was headquartered in Hargeisa and served as one of the country’s principal regional military commands.
Only weeks earlier, the Federal Government also announced the reactivation of the 54th Command, headquartered in Garowe, describing both initiatives as part of a nationwide effort to modernize command and control within the Somali National Army. However, the announcement has been met with considerable skepticism in North Eastern State.
Many local politicians and residents question whether the creation of another military command can be regarded as a meaningful achievement when, they argue, the Federal Government has yet to provide the region with tangible institutional support since recognizing the new administration.
Critics point out that North Eastern State has received no meaningful federal development projects, no direct budgetary support, and no financial assistance to pay its own security forces, despite repeated appeals from the regional leadership.
Some observers argue that discussions surrounding the revival of the 26th Command amount to little more than a political smoke screen designed to project federal engagement while avoiding more pressing issues facing the administration.
“The region doesn’t need another military headquarters on paper,” one political observer told WardheerNews. “It needs functioning institutions, development funding, and support for the security forces already maintaining stability on the ground.”
Prime Minister Hamza arrived in Las Anod on Sunday to a warm public reception, marking his third visit to the city. Speaking shortly after his arrival, he said he had come to participate in celebrations marking the first anniversary of the establishment of North Eastern State. “I am delighted to return for the third time to the capital of Somali unity, Las Anod,” the Prime Minister said. “I have come to celebrate this anniversary with you. I love you all.”
His first visit to Las Anod took place on 12 April 2025, followed by a second visit on 16 January 2026. Yet despite the ceremonial language surrounding the anniversary celebrations, political attention remains focused elsewhere.
Among residents and regional political figures, expectations appear to center less on military restructuring and more on whether the Prime Minister’s visit will produce movement on the long-standing issue of prisoner exchanges between North Eastern State and Somaliland—an issue many believe has become one of the defining humanitarian and political questions following the conflict.
Whether the announcement of the revived 26th Command ultimately develops into a fully operational military structure or proves to be largely symbolic remains to be seen.
For many in Las Anod, however, the more immediate question is whether the Federal Government is finally prepared to back its political recognition of North Eastern State with concrete financial support, development investment, and assistance for the regional security forces—or whether the latest military announcement will remain another headline without meaningful implementation.
WardheerNews