By Horn Africa News
Lasanod – The Federal Government of Somalia has reaffirmed its full support for the newly established Northern Bari Regional Administration, following the conclusion of a historic conference in the city of Lasanod that officially marked the transformation of the interim SSC-Khaatumo administration into a recognized federal member state.
During a government-backed ceremony held on Friday in Lasanod, Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Hon. Ali Yusuf Ali (Hoosh), declared the federal government’s strong commitment to empowering the new administration to deliver essential services and uphold good governance.
Minister Hoosh announced that the capital, Mogadishu, would intensify its support for the new regional government by providing urgent humanitarian assistance tailored to local needs and by building its institutional capacity. He emphasized the vital role the federal government played in the formation of the Northern Bari administration, describing the move as a significant step toward national unity.
“This is a collaborative process essential to ensuring that all federal member states have access to the resources necessary for effective governance and to contribute to the country’s overall stability,” Minister Hoosh stated during his remarks.
He also congratulated the leadership of the new administration, expressing optimism that it would usher in peace and development across the northeastern regions of Somalia.
The SSC-Khaatumo conference, which concluded on Wednesday in Lasanod, brought together traditional elders, political leaders, and representatives from civil society across the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions. Participants collectively agreed to establish a federal member state under the name “Northern Bari Regional Administration,” with Lasanod designated as its official capital.
The conference formally dissolved the SSC-Khaatumo interim administration and ratified a new constitution, officially integrating the region into Somalia’s federal system. The final communiqué of the gathering highlighted the importance of local ownership in the peacebuilding process and stressed the need to resolve longstanding political disputes through inclusive dialogue.
The formation of the new administration marks a major shift in the region’s political landscape, particularly amid longstanding competing claims from Somaliland, which has for years asserted authority over the territory. While the move is expected to strengthen cooperation between federal and local governments, it also presents new challenges in Somalia’s ongoing state-building process.
