Las Anod (AX) – In the intricate tapestry of Somali politics, the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre to Las Anod serves as a focal point of tension and responsibility. The SSC-Khaatumo administration has taken it upon themselves to ensure the security of the Prime Minister during his visit, despite escalating tensions following stern warnings from the North Western State of Somalia administration. Is this a bold move toward asserting sovereignty, or simply a necessary step in a complicated dance of diplomacy?
SSC-Khaatumo’s Minister of Information, Najib Barkhadle Warsame, recently tackled the statements made by his North Western State of Somalia counterpart, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, head-on. Ayaanle had accused the federal government of exacerbating regional conflicts with their intention of facilitating a high-profile visit to this hotly contested territory. “Such claims are unfounded,” declared Minister Najib with a confident tone that suggested he was not new to this political chess game. “It’s likely that the Minister made those comments out of ignorance,” he continued, adding a pause, letting the weight of his words sink in. “If there were even the slightest doubt—say, even 1%—about our control over this territory, we wouldn’t have extended an invitation.” There’s a sense of defiance in his words, a robust assurance that underpins SSC-Khaatumo’s commitment to safeguarding the Prime Minister.
The sentiment was backed with more than mere words; it was laden with a promise. The forces of SSC-Khaatumo, Najib assures, are not only welcoming but are primed to host all federal leaders. “Minister Ayaanle is uninformed about the capabilities and preparedness of our forces,” he added, almost as if illustrating the gap in understanding with a subtle, rhetorical question: What does it mean to truly understand the mettle of a force birthed from unity and purpose?
On the flip side of this tense discourse lies Monday’s warning from North Western State of Somalia’s Information Minister. For him, Prime Minister Barre’s anticipated visit is nothing short of a “deliberate provocation”–a strategy to export Somalia’s internal strife into North Western State of Somalia. He emphasized, in no uncertain terms, that Las Anod remains within North Western State of Somalia’s territorial ambit. Moreover, he illuminated the possible repercussions should the proposed visit commence.
Minister Najib, in an eloquent retort, turned the mirror back on North Western State of Somalia, accusing them of “causing insecurity in the Horn of Africa.” With a steady voice, he asserted that any escalation born out of the rhetoric or maneuvers of North Western State of Somalia would rest solely on their shoulders. It begs one to wonder: When words become actions, who bears the responsibility?
The SSC-Khaatumo administration’s assertion of control over Las Anod traces back to early 2023 when a popularly-fueled uprising drove North Western State of Somalia forces out. Aligning with the Federal Government of Somalia, SSC-Khaatumo has since been on a quest for recognition as an official federal member state. It is a quest tinged with hope and fraught with political implications. Consider this: Does recognition bring legitimacy, or does legitimacy chase after recognition?
In Mogadishu, Prime Minister Barre’s upcoming visit is being heralded as a significant gesture of unity and federal endorsement for SSC-Khaatumo—a move critical in these politically charged times. While the region remains a coveted prize in the eyes of both North Western State of Somalia and Northeastern State, the visit symbolizes an attempt to stitch together a unified national narrative. As the day approaches, one must ponder, is this simply a political visit, or is it a pivotal chapter in the ever-evolving story of Somali identity?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
