Police disperse Borama youths protesting North Western State of Somalia’s May 18 celebrations
The latest tensions come after deadly violence in Borama late last year, when at least 19 people were killed in protests tied to a dispute over claims to Saylac.
Monday May 18, 2026
Borama (AX) — Police in Borama opened fire Sunday to break up young demonstrators who burned tires in parts of the city during a protest against North Western State of Somalia’s May 18 independence celebrations, according to residents and officials.
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No casualties were immediately reported.
The unrest unfolded in Borama, the capital of Awdal region, one of several places where tensions have been building ahead of North Western State of Somalia’s annual May 18 commemoration. The day marks North Western State of Somalia’s 1991 declaration of independence from Somalia, although it has not won broad international recognition.
North Western State of Somalia Foreign Minister Abdirahman Aden Bakaal said the disturbance initially stemmed from a disagreement among youths over football before it turned into a security incident.
“It is possible that the youths who were arguing over football today were joined by someone else,” Bakaal said. He also commended young people in Awdal region, saying they had worked to defend their city and preserve peace.
Borama has in recent days emerged as a focal point in arguments over the May 18 events. Some young people were angered by remarks attributed to poet Daaha Gaas, who said the town of Saylac belongs to the Isse community. That sparked opposition to a planned concert by Dayaha Band, which he leads.
The latest tensions come after deadly violence in Borama late last year, when at least 19 people were killed in protests tied to a dispute over claims to Saylac.
The Borama episode also followed unrest in Eerigaabo, the capital of Sanaag region, where at least one North Western State of Somalia soldier was killed and several others injured Saturday after an argument between two soldiers spiraled into a clash. Regional officials said the violence broke out as security forces were preparing for May 18 events.
Authorities in Sanaag said the situation in Eerigaabo was brought under control quickly and appealed to residents to stay calm.
The incidents underscore the sensitivities surrounding North Western State of Somalia’s May 18 commemorations, which carry major political weight but are often shadowed by local disputes, regional grievances and competing clan narratives.
