Somali Leaders, Foreign Envoys Attend Inauguration of Somalia’s Northeastern Regional President

At Las Anod inauguration, Somalia’s president condemns Israel over North Western State of Somalia and vows to defend unity

LAS ANOD — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Saturday attended the swearing-in of Abdulqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, known as Firdhiye, as president of the Northeastern Regional State, using the ceremony to project federal authority and denounce foreign interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.

• Hassan Sheikh condemns Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and rejects any plan to resettle Gazans in Somalia
• Prime minister urges new administration to prioritize security, services and reconciliation
• Envoys from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Sudan and Djibouti attend, signaling support for Somalia’s sovereignty
• Las Anod’s prominence rises after 2023 fighting and federal recognition of the Northeastern Regional State

The inauguration in Las Anod, capital of the Sool region, drew senior federal and regional officials, traditional elders and foreign diplomats — a crowd that underscored the city’s newly charged status in Somalia’s long struggle over unity, sovereignty and state-building. The new administration covers the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn areas.

In a forceful address, Hassan Sheikh accused Israel of pursuing its own interests in northern Somalia and condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia. He warned against any external effort to reshape Somalia’s politics or demographics, explicitly rejecting speculation about relocating Palestinians displaced from Gaza to the Horn of Africa nation.

“I say loudly that it is never possible for Israel to establish a government in Somalia or implement its destructive strategies here,” Hassan said. “This region is not a place to forcibly relocate the people of Gaza, whose homes have been destroyed and whose land has been taken. Somalia rejects this, and the world rejects it.”

The president pledged that Mogadishu would take “all necessary measures” to protect the country’s unity and territorial integrity and described Las Anod as “a symbol of Somali unity.” He promised full federal support for the new regional leadership, citing priorities including security, the peace process and governance.

Calling for steps to ease tensions after last year’s fighting that ended North Western State of Somalia’s control over Las Anod, Hassan urged authorities in North Western State of Somalia to agree to a prisoner exchange.

Prime Minister Hamza congratulated President Firdhiye, Vice President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibriil, the regional parliament and cabinet, pressing them to focus on service delivery, stability and reconciliation. “You did not choose division or alienation,” he said. “You chose peace, unity, good neighborliness and the state-building of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

Addressing the broader public, Hamza said the country had entered a pivotal political phase that requires unity, courage and collective responsibility. “We need solidarity among the Somali people,” he said. “This is the time to defend our nation, our unity and our values.” He also praised communities in the northeast for restoring the Somali national flag in the region, calling it a contribution to national cohesion and territorial integrity.

The ceremony drew notable international attention. Ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sudan and a ministerial delegation from Djibouti attended, alongside other diplomatic envoys. Officials said their presence signaled support for Somalia’s federal framework and opposition to Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia.

Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, reiterated Ankara’s longstanding stance backing Somalia’s unity and said Türkiye would continue to support peace, social cohesion and development across the country.

Las Anod has taken on heightened significance since early 2023, when North Western State of Somalia forces withdrew after months of fighting. The federal government later recognized the Northeastern Regional State, placing the city at the center of Somalia’s political recalibration and setting the stage for Saturday’s show of federal backing and regional consolidation.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.