By Horn Africa News
MOGADISHU – A high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia announced on Wednesday that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre are preparing to visit the town of Lasanod, in Sool region. The move comes at a time of heightened political and military tensions in northern Somalia.
The announcement was made during a press briefing in Lasanod, where federal representatives emphasized that the planned visit is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen ties with local communities and assess humanitarian and security conditions on the ground.
The development has triggered sharp criticism from Somaliland authorities, who claim sovereignty over Lasanod and the broader Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions. A senior Somaliland official described the move as “a provocative act and a violation of Somaliland’s territorial integrity.”
However, Somaliland leaders privately admitted that they are unable to stop the visit due to the town’s
current security situation. Since early 2023, Lasanod has been under the control of SSC-Khatumo forces, which are aligned with Puntland and have openly rejected Hargeisa’s authority.
In Hargeisa, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi delivered a strongly worded speech, warning that “any violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty will be met with consequences.” Although he did not specify what measures his administration would take, Bihi hinted at both diplomatic and military responses if Mogadishu presses forward with its plans.
The contested Lasanod region has been a flashpoint for decades, with both Somaliland and Puntland laying claim to the territory. The recent resurgence of SSC forces has shifted the balance of control, placing Somaliland’s authority under serious strain. Analysts say a visit by Somalia’s top leadership would be a symbolic blow to Somaliland’s long-standing claim of independence, declared unilaterally in 1991 but still unrecognized internationally.
Local elders in Lasanod have welcomed the news of the planned visit, saying it would demonstrate Mogadishu’s commitment to the community after months of deadly clashes that displaced thousands of civilians.
If the visit goes ahead, it could mark the first time in decades that a sitting Somali president steps foot in Lasanod under the protection of local forces opposed to Somaliland.
