Explainer: Intrigues surrounding Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s planned historic visit to Las Anod
Political analysts view the visit as an opportunity for Somalia to once and for all end the long-protracted secessionist agenda by Somaliland.
Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Saturday said he plans to visit Las Anod, the capital of the interim Khaatumo State of Somalia. The visit will be historic as it will be the first time in over half a century for a senior official to visit the contested strategic city.
Officials in Las Anod confirmed the visit even though there is no official schedule confirmed.
More To Read
- Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza breaks new ground with historic visit to Las Anod
- AUSSOM chief Sivuyile Bam warns mission faces uncertain future due to funding shortfall
- Somalia approves visa-free entry deal with Egypt for diplomatic passport holders
- UN Security Council to discuss new AU mission in Somalia in closed session
Preparations are ongoing to receive him, with a big party planned by residents who cannot wait for the visit as his posters have been splashed along the streets in anticipation of his historic visit.
Prime Minister Hamza said his visit to Las Anod is meant to strengthen relations between Khaatumo State and the Federal Government of Somalia and should not be construed to cause divisions but rather unity in Somalia.
“My visit to Las Anod town is meant to strengthen working relations between Khaatumo State Administration and the Federal Government of Somalia. It is not a visit aimed at undermining any region or State in Somalia. It is not a visit to separate our brotherly people but rather one aimed at uniting them,” Hamza said.
He thanked the people and administration of Khaatumo State for their nationalism and their welcoming spirit, which he said was overwhelming even before his visit.
Khaatumo State officially declared itself free on August 25, 2023, when local fighters dislodged Somaliland forces from Gooja’ade, a strategic outpost on a mountain overlooking Las Anod, after months of a bitter war that killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of residents.
The last visit by a senior Somali leader to Las Anod did not go well.
Assassination
On October 15, 1969, former Somalia President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who also served as the country’s first Prime Minister, was assassinated by a soldier in Las Anod while on an official visit.
His killing led to a military coup that later took and held power in Somalia for 21 years under Gen. Mohamed Siyad Barre. Abdirashid’s assassin was later killed by a firing squad.
No wonder PM Hamza’s planned visit there is already eliciting sharp reactions.
However, there is an equal measure of delight and discontent amongst ordinary citizens and leaders across Somalia over the visit.
In Las Anod, leaders and ordinary citizens welcomed the news and said Khaatumo State is part of Somalia and is a free and peaceful State open for anyone to visit.
Khaatumo State Interim Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijaar confirmed the visit and said the public are raring to see their Prime Minister.
“We are preparing ourselves for the visit by the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia who is expected to soon visit Las Aanod town in Sool region. Khaatumo State is currently the most peaceful State in Somalia. We wish to say that the people of Khaatumo State are excited about the visit of the Prime Minister, and cannot wait to welcome him,” Minister Hijaar said in Las Anod.
Hargeisa’s reactions
In Hargeisa, the news was not received well.
Many leaders and citizens who spoke about the issue said the PM is not welcome in Las Anod, accusing him of violating international laws. Somaliland claims to have seceded from Somalia but remains unrecognised.
Somaliland president's spokesman, Hussein Adan Igeh, in response to the news about Hamza’s impending visit to Las Anod, sought to send a clear message by once again reaffirming Somaliland's secessionism claim.
“Somaliland’s independence and statehood are not mere aspirations; they are rooted in historical legitimacy, legal precedent, and the unwavering will of our people. Our journey to sovereignty is a story of resilience, self-determination, and a rightful place among the free nations of the world,” Hussein posted on his X account.
Somaliland Minister of Information Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali did not mince his words. He addressed a press conference in his office on Tuesday in Hargeisa.
“We will defend our country and borders at any cost. Don’t view our peace and calmness as a sign of weakness, but it’s rather out of our tolerance. We view your provocation and acts of aggression like that of Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea or Donbas in Ukraine because it is not his country but he has annexed a neighbourly country, but that does not mean Ukraine is not a country because Putin has annexed part of it. So, if you come to Las Anod or go to Garowe, it’s up to you. But we are determined to defend ourselves from your provocation by any means necessary,” Ahmed said.
A Khaatumo State official mounting a poster of Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in Las Anod. (Photo: Khaatumo State Ministry of Information)
PM Hamza's planned visit to Las Anod is currently the most discussed issue in Somalia.
Political analysts view the visit as an opportunity for Somalia to once and for all end the long-protracted secessionist agenda by Somaliland.
Political and security analyst Nabil Afrah from Puntland said PM Hamza’s visit to Las Anod is a highly significant political move with far-reaching implications for Somalia’s territorial integrity, Somaliland’s secessionist claims, and the broader power dynamics in the Sool and Sanaag regions.
“PM Hamza's planned visit to Las Anod will be a symbolic blow to Somaliland’s secessionist agenda and is likely to provoke elites in Hargeisa who have sold secessionism to their public. Las Anod has long been a flashpoint for power struggles. The ultra-nationalists view the PM's visit as a bold reclamation of Somali unity,” Afrah told The Eastleigh Voice.
He added that the visit's success will also depend on how Mogadishu balances relations between Khaatumo State and Puntland but that the real test will be whether the move stabilizes Las Anod under Somali Federal influence or deepens regional fractures.
Security concerns
Some analysts are apprehensive about the visit given the political intrigues and sensitivities laced with the underlying political ramifications of the visit.
“I fear for the Prime Minister’s safety in Las Anod. Even though Khaatumo State is now safe and free from Somaliland’s influence, Hargeisa and Garowe will not sit and watch him visit what they still consider theirs. There is also the looming threat of ISIS and Al-Shabaab,” security analyst Abdi Ali told The Eastleigh Voice.
Las Anod is in the Sool region, located in between Hargeisa and Garowe, capitals of the two states that have been fighting over its control since 1991 when the Somalia government collapsed.
On August 25, 2023, Las Anod freed itself from their claims and declared itself a free state. The federal government in Mogadishu welcomed them and recognised it as a federal state, the youngest in Somalia.
The city is historic and famous in Somalia and often associated with freedom fighting. It is close to the Taleh headquarters of the Daraawish ‘Dervishe” army under the leadership of the famous Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, who fought British rule in the late 18th century.
Prime Minister Hamza’s visit, although not formally scheduled, is strongly anticipated. Posters bearing his image have already been plastered across major roads in Las Anod and excitement is building up.
One resident in Las Anod hopes PM Hamza will choose to make history by visiting their city.
“We will welcome him and protect him like an egg. If he comes, I hope he erects a monument in central Las Anod town of the great Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, the father and hero of Somalia’s liberation war,” said Jama Ali, a taxi driver in Las Anod.
Top Stories Today
