On 16th April, 2025, Somaliland cabinet ministerial meeting has condemned with the strongest possible terms the visit that the Somali Prime Minister embarked to Sool’s regional capital Lasanod on the 12th April, 2025.
The statement issued by the Presidential Palace said that the visit was an act of aggression.
It was a clear violation of the int’l law and an infringement to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland.
Somaliland Gov’t with the plan to pacify the eastern settlements in Sool region, called for peace after the incumbent Somaliland President H.E Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro assumed the office of the Presidency on the 12th December, 2024.
The Somaliland gov’t once again emphasized that peace is the number one priority while defending the borders of Somaliland state which is non-negotiable.
The Somaliland gov’t has clearly said that the Somali Federal Gov’t has deviated from the path to peace and dialogue.
Somaliland said that the visit of Somalia’s Federal Prime Minister to Lasanod is clear breach to the independence of Somaliland.
The move is an act of political aggression which was aimed to instigate hostilities which poses a threat to the stability of Horn of Africa.
The Somali Federal Gov’t has infringed the int’l law of the freedom of Somaliland citizens which has been illegally hijacked.
The Gov’t of Somaliland has clearly stated that it has not held talks with Somali Federal Gov’t on issues pertaining the release of Prisoners of War in Lasanod.
The prisoners that the Somali Prime Minister took to Mogadishu are not prisoners of war.
The Somaliland gov’t sees the move to conceal the political failure of the Somali Federal Gov’t.
Somaliland gov’t held talks with the Int’l Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and ambassadors of the friends of Somaliland to find a lasting resolution on the issue of prisoners based on the int’l laws of Prisoners of War (POW).
Somaliland gov’t remains ready to exchange the prisoners of wars in line with int’l laws regarding the swap of prisoners with the facilitation of ICRC.
Somaliland held discussions with U.S., U.K., Denmark, Turkey, and UAE when it comes to the release of prisoners.
The Somaliland gov’t has spoken with loud and clear voice to the int’l community to immediately respond the violation of Somali Federal gov’t pertaining to the eastern settlements in Sool province and at the same time support the efforts of Somaliland to restore peace to Sool region.
Somalia’s clear act of aggression to Somaliland jeopardizes the stability of the Horn of Africa and is giving an advantage to the terrorist groups which is a real threat to the peace and development of the entire region.
After Somali Federal Gov’t has violated the territorial integrity of Somaliland and failed to honor the ongoing dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia, the council of ministers of Somaliland has decided to quit the talks between Somalia and Somaliland which will take into effect on 16th April, 2025.
