North Western State of Somalia Elders Blame Somali President for Stoking Tensions Over Erigavo Authority

FILE – Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow, a notable figure in North Western State of Somalia’s traditional leadership.

In a world where the shadows creep closer to the edges of light, stories like this remind us of the timeless complexities of human society. Recently, a clan conference took place in Badhan, sparking renewed tensions between Somalia and North Western State of Somalia. At the forefront of this narrative, Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow, a respected leader, did not shy away from addressing the issue head-on. He claims Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud orchestrated this assembly to incite disorder in the region, invoking a tale as old as politics itself.

So, what transpired at this gathering of clans? Would it resolve longstanding disputes, or would it stir the simmering pot of unrest? The conclusion didn’t leave much room for ambiguity. Clan leaders announced their intentions to seize the city of Erigavo, a strategic jewel in the Sanaag region of North Western State of Somalia. With such statements, the whispers of military confrontation grew louder—a looming storm casting its shadow over the land.

Buurmadow didn’t mince words. “This is a project driven by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,” he stated, a clear accusation echoing across the conference. He accused the president of cloaking his interference under the guise of democratic reforms, akin to a wolf donning sheep’s clothing—perhaps a poignant example of how motives can be cleverly masked.

Within these tense dialogues, Buurmadow issued a grave warning. According to him, the clans were already stockpiling weapons, preparing as if the drumbeats of war could already be heard on the horizon. At the heart of their strategy lay the goal of destabilizing North Western State of Somalia, beginning with the capture of Erigavo.

“They have resolved to capture Erigavo, and preparations for war are already underway,” Buurmadow asserted, painting a dire picture of breached ceasefire agreements and attacks on rural hamlets. The image conjured is one of a looming tempest, swirling and threatening to engulf the landscape.

Despite efforts to quell the rising tides through peace negotiations, talks didn’t yield the desired peace. Blame was placed on SSC leaders, who, according to Buurmadow, abandoned mediated discussions in favor of conflict. Traditional leaders from North Western State of Somalia initially showed the olive branch, facilitated by Garaad Kulmiye from Ethiopia’s Somali Region. However, the narrative took a turn when, as Buurmadow suggests, SSC leaders turned their backs, choosing the thunderous path of warfare over peaceful dialogue.

“SSC leaders sabotaged it. Their decision to prioritize conflict over peace was made clear when they called for war instead of dialogue,” Buurmadow articulated, a sentiment that reverberates with loss—both of peace and missed opportunities.

From the other side, SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw Ali Firdhiye stepped onto the stage, underscoring their position. He accused North Western State of Somalia’s military of civilian abuses in Erigavo, fueling their actions with the exhaustible energies of defense rather than aggression. “Our people have endured enough,” Firdhiye declared, striking a chord familiar to all who have borne witness to suffering.

The allegations flew thickly—the North Western State of Somalia forces accused of targeting civilian sectors, prompting the SSC-Khaatumo clans to resort to self-defense; a tragic cycle almost predictable, yet perpetually heartbreaking.

The international community watches closely, sensing the tremors that could reverberate throughout the Horn of Africa. This escalating crisis does not merely concern local actors; it poses a risk of expanding far beyond its origins. Analysts, the pragmatic sages of our time, stress the necessity for peaceful dialogue, a beacon in these tumultuous times.

With diplomats and observers urging contemplation and conversation over conflict, one wonders—will these calls for peace be heeded? In a world laden with pressures and diverse interests, the path forward seems obscured.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring