Tuesday, July 8, 2025
By Horn Africa News Staff | Hargeisa
In a rare alignment of political interests, the administrations of Puntland and Somaliland have adopted a common stance opposing the ongoing efforts to establish the SSC-Khaatumo regional administration in the contested regions of Sool and Sanaag.
Somaliland’s Position:
Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yassin, strongly criticized the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing it of fueling conflict in the Sanaag region. He warned against escalating tensions and emphasized the importance of protecting the border regions.
“The Federal Government is destabilizing Sanaag by supporting divisions. It must respect the stability of the border communities,” Minister Ahmed Yassin stated.
Puntland’s Firm Warning to SSC-Khaatumo:
Meanwhile, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, speaking while dressed in military uniform, issued a stern warning to the leadership of SSC-Khaatumo.
“If you’ve decided to form your own administration, do not expand beyond your areas. The people of Sanaag and the Highlands are under Puntland’s jurisdiction. Stop interfering, or else you will face consequences that neither of us can walk away from,” declared President Deni.
This was the strongest public warning yet from Puntland’s top leadership, directly challenging SSC-Khaatumo’s attempts to gain more territorial control.
Federal Government and SSC-Khaatumo:
Tensions escalated after Somalia’s Ministry of Interior recently announced the formation of an 8-member committee tasked with finalizing the establishment of the SSC-Khaatumo Federal Member State.
This move has been followed by mobilization and organizational activities in Sanaag, with the SSC-Khaatumo administration expressing openness to collaborate with local communities, especially in the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn.
Upcoming Consultation Conference:
These developments come ahead of a key public consultation conference scheduled to begin on July 10 in Laascaanood. The meeting will bring together local community leaders and residents of the Sool and Sanaag regions to discuss the future political direction and possible support for SSC-Khaatumo’s ambitions.
Context and Significance:
The SSC-Khaatumo movement seeks to establish a new federal state within Somalia, comprising the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn—areas that have long been disputed between Puntland and Somaliland. Both administrations reject SSC-Khaatumo’s legitimacy and view the federal government’s backing as an unwelcome interference in their claimed territories.
The alignment of Puntland and Somaliland on this issue—despite their long-standing political rivalry—reflects the shared threat they perceive from the growing momentum of SSC-Khaatumo.
