Both Puntland Federal Member State of Somalia and breakaway Somaliland region have expressed strong opposition to the ongoing grassroots efforts to establish an SSC-Khaatumo administration in the Sool and Sanaag regions, aligning themselves in a rare moment of political convergence.
Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin, accused the Federal Government of Somalia of fueling instability in Sanaag, calling for the protection of border territories and warning against federal interference.
Meanwhile, Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni, dressed in military fatigues while addressing newly trained soldiers in Qardho, delivered a stern warning to SSC-Khaatumo leaders, urging them to remain within the areas they currently control.
“If you’ve decided to form a separate administration, stay where you are. The fate of Sanaag and the highlands lies with Puntland. Cease your provocations, or you will face consequences,” Deni warned.
The reaction follows recent efforts by the Federal Government to support SSC-Khaatumo’s formation. The Ministry of Interior announced an eight-member technical committee tasked with finalizing the establishment of the regional state.
These moves have triggered local mobilizations in Sanaag, where SSC-Khaatumo leaders continue to call for broader inclusion of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn residents in the proposed regional government.
A major consultative conference is scheduled to take place in Las Anod on July 10, where residents from the contested regions will gather to deliberate on the political future and governance structure of SSC-Khaatumo.
Mustaqbal
