Laascaanood (WDN) – The conference aimed at finalizing the formation of the SSC-Khaatumo regional administration officially opened today in Laascaanood, the capital of the Sool region, amid mounting political tensions and regional opposition.
Originally scheduled for July 10 but postponed multiple times, the conference brought together high-level delegations from the Federal Government of Somalia, including members of parliament, senators from the Upper House, and delegates from the SSC-Khaatumo and Sanaag regions. The goal: to solidify a governing framework and constitutional foundation for the emerging regional administration.
has opened in Lascaanood
However, the opening of the conference has been overshadowed by fierce disputes over representation—particularly concerning the participation of delegates from Sanaag. Traditional leaders from Sanaag, Sool, and Cayn have strongly objected to what they describe as political interference by both Villa Somalia and the SSC-Khaatumo leadership in the affairs of Sanaag and Haylaan.
The Sultan of the Warsangeli and Harti Koombe clans, Sultan Said Abdisalam, and SSC-Khaatumo’s Garaad, Garaad Jamac Garaad Ali, publicly denounced the conference, accusing organizers of attempting to hijack the future of the tri-regional territory through unilateral decisions. “The fate of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn cannot be decided without inclusive consultation,” they warned.
In his remarks during the opening session, Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ali Xoosh, praised the initiative: “The SSC-Khaatumo community has made a courageous step by seeking to establish a formal regional government rooted in constitutional legitimacy. The federal government fully supports these efforts.”
While many residents of Sanaag have voiced support for closer political alignment with the SSC-Khaatumo administration, frustrations have grown over the lack of a coordinated, inclusive roadmap. Critics argue that the current process risks sidelining vital stakeholders and undermining long-term unity between the regions.
As the conference continues, its success hinges not only on political declarations but also on the ability of leaders to build consensus and avoid deepening the divisions already surfacing across the contested regions.
WardheerNews