North Western State of Somalia Information Minister Quits Following Deadly Unrest at Xeer Ciise Ceremony

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia — Information Minister Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle resigned late Saturday, saying he was tasked with delivering a “bitter decision” to allow a book launch celebrating Xeer Ciise that preceded deadly unrest in the Awdal region’s Borama town.

Ayaanle said President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi assigned him to announce the authorization for the ceremony, which triggered clashes between residents and security forces that left 10 people dead, according to local authorities and community leaders. The minister said he tendered his resignation in person and that the president accepted it.

“I cannot imagine that such a bitter decision—one that ignited violence in my own community—would be delegated to me,” Ayaanle told reporters in Hargeisa. “I read the decision that led to violence, but when it came to calming the nation, the President delivered the speech himself.”

On Sunday, tensions in Borama eased after Abdillahi canceled the Xeer Ciise ceremony and announced a peace forum for Dec. 10. Traditional elders urged residents to return home, though armed men were reported to remain in the mountains near the town. Earlier Saturday, three soldiers assigned to protect visiting elders were reportedly killed in an attack, raising fears of further reprisals.

• Minister Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle resigns over government’s decision to allow Xeer Ciise book launch.
• At least 10 people killed in clashes in Borama; three soldiers also reported killed Saturday morning.
• President cancels ceremony; peace forum set for Dec. 10 as elders call for calm.
• Armed men still positioned around Borama despite a return to relative calm.

The dispute centers on a planned commemoration of Xeer Ciise, the historic customary law of Somali-Issa communities in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. The legal tradition has been recognized by UNESCO, and a book launch tied to the commemoration had received government approval. The announcement provoked anger among some residents in Borama, where community members and authorities clashed over the event’s symbolism and timing.

Ayaanle, who praised the president as “a noble leader who gave me the opportunity to serve,” framed his exit as a matter of principle and responsibility. “We prayed together. I pray for the nation of North Western State of Somalia, and I thank the people for standing by me during my tenure,” he said.

In a message to his home region, the minister appealed for restraint. “The situation we are experiencing today is dangerous,” he said. “You have the right to reject decisions, but we must avoid outcomes that benefit enemies or drag us into a dark history. My advice is to protect peace.”

The government’s reversal and the planned peace forum suggest authorities are seeking to defuse the volatile situation in Awdal amid simmering grievances that quickly turned lethal. Traditional leaders remain pivotal in calming the streets, but the presence of armed groups on the town’s outskirts underscores the fragility of the lull.

While officials did not immediately release a full accounting of casualties or arrests, calls mounted for an impartial investigation into the deadly confrontations and for political dialogue that respects local sensitivities. Community elders in Borama urged residents to cooperate with de-escalation efforts ahead of the Dec. 10 forum.

As North Western State of Somalia navigates the fallout, Ayaanle’s departure leaves a key seat vacant in the communications portfolio at a moment when public messaging and trusted mediation are central to restoring stability. Whether the peace forum can convert a pause in fighting into a durable settlement now hinges on credible outreach to affected communities and clarity over how cultural commemorations will be managed going forward.

In Borama, shopfronts reopened and movement resumed Sunday under a heavy security presence. But with families grieving and armed men still in the hills, residents said the real test will come in the days leading to the forum, when promises of dialogue will be measured against the reality on the ground.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.

Sunday December 7, 2025