Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza breaks new ground with historic visit to Las Anod
Hamza thanked the people of Las Anod for their warm welcome and promised to listen to them and work with them to improve their lives.
Life in Las Anod came to a standstill on Saturday as thousands of residents poured into the streets to receive Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi, who made history by being the first premier to visit to city in Somalia’s 65-year-old history.
Schools and businesses remained closed during his visit.
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The city was covered with Hamza’s photos and colours of the Somali flag and that of Khaatumo State.
Upon his arrival, Hamza was received by Khaatumo State Interim President Abdikadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye) and senior military and police commanders.
Hamza thanked the people of Las Anod for their warm welcome and promised to listen to them and work with them to improve their lives.
“We are sorry for keeping you waiting for long in the hot sun. We are happy to be with you here and we will be together, and we will meet, discuss everything including what you want us to do for you. My visit is a symbol of unity, solidarity and peace to bring Somalia together. Long live Khaatumo, long live Somalia,” Hamza told thousands of jubilant residents of Las Anod at the airport.
He said the visit is part of the efforts of the Somali government to strengthen the unity of the country and develop government services needed by the Khaatumo community.
Long overdue
Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said the Prime Minister’s visit to Las Anod was long overdue and that the people of Khaatumo State have proved their love for their country and its unity.
“The joy of the people of Las Anod is clearly visible on their faces. We have come to the home of unity and independence. I congratulate the people and administration of Khaatumo State,” Ahmed said.
Elated residents said they hoped the prime minister’s visit would change their lives for good.
“This is my first time to welcome and see the Prime Minister, the second most powerful person in our country. We are a new state and for the last two years we have been preparing for such a visit. Our main priority is for the federal state to officially give us a full recognition and for the central government to give us our share of the national cake. We need schools, roads, hospital and all development,” Najib Abdullahi, a resident, told The Eastleigh Voice.
Seynab Abdi Jama, 48, said it was her happiest day and hoped Hamza’s visit would usher in a new chapter for Khaatumo State.
“We are very happy to welcome the prime minister in a peaceful way. We hope we will get full rights and support; we are people coming from war and conflict and suffering. We hope today we will get our rights, development and our share from the central government,” Seybab told Eastleigh Voice.
Somaliland, which claims ownership of Las Anod, had vehemently opposed the visit. News of Hamza’s historic visit was not received well by officials and ordinary people.
In a statement issued by its ministry of foreign affairs on Friday, Somaliland urged the world to act against Somalia for interfering in its internal affairs.
“Such a visit undermines ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. The government of Somaliland calls on responsible regional and international actors to take swift and collective action to address Somalia’s destabilising conduct,” Somaliland said in a statement.
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