Fighting broke out on 6 February in Las Anod, capital of the disputed Sool region claimed by both Somaliland and Puntland. Over 185,000 people were displaced[1] and over 200 were killed.[2] The fighting took place between Somaliland forces and militias loyal to Somalia allegedly assisted by Puntland troops.[3] It erupted when elders in the surrounding Sool region declared they no longer considered themselves part of Somaliland and that the regions of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn would now be governed by Somalia.[4] Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for an end to the fighting the following day,[5] but was met with silence. Somaliland announced an unconditional ceasefire on 10 February,[6] but both parties accused each other of violating it and fighting resumed a week later when clan leaders requested Somaliland forces withdraw from the region.[7] At the end of February, the Somaliland President accused al-Shabaab of meddling in the Las Anod conflict as several sources linked group members to the fighting, although they may be acting on a personal basis.[8] According to analysts it is unlikely either side would cave on their demands for dialogue, elders in Las Anod view the withdrawal of Somaliland troops as critical for confidence building while Somaliland believes that withdrawing from the city could risk its control over it;[9] and pressure from the international community is key for resolving the dispute.[10]
International response:
In early February, the international community expressed concern over the fighting in Las Anod and called for a de-escalation of the conflict.[11] The Djibouti government requested the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to act as mediator.[12]
The Somali government briefed the UN Security Council on the situation in the country and indicated they had finalised the national security architecture, paving the way to address division of powers with the federal member states and the Somali Security Forces, requesting the arms embargo be lifted. They also mentioned their commitment in the fight against al-Shabaab and concern over the ongoing drought that could make 50% of the population food insecure.[13]
The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Somalia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States held a meeting with Somali representatives and vowed to support Somalia’s efforts in meeting the benchmarks to fully lift the UN arms embargo.[14]
[1] The East African, “UN says Somaliland clashes have displaced over 185,000 people,” 17 February 2023, https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/las-anod-clashes-displace-185000-un-4127412
[2] VOA, “Somalia: Over 200 Killed in Fighting in Disputed Somaliland Town,” 6 March 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202303070154.html
[3] Reuters, “Somaliland agrees to ceasefire after five days of fighting in disputed territory,” 11 February 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somaliland-agrees-ceasefire-after-five-days-fighting-disputed-territory-2023-02-10/
[4] Africa News, “Fighting resumes in Somaliland as tens of thousands flee,” 22 February 2023, https://www.africanews.com/2023/02/22/fighting-resumes-in-somaliland-as-tens-of-thousands-flee/
[5] Shabelle Media Network, “Somalia: Somali President Calls for an Immediate End to Lasanod Fighting,” 7 February 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202302080073.html
[6] Reuters, “Somaliland agrees to ceasefire after five days of fighting in disputed territory,” 11 February 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somaliland-agrees-ceasefire-after-five-days-fighting-disputed-territory-2023-02-10/
[7] Africa News, “Fighting resumes in Somaliland as tens of thousands flee,” 22 February 2023, https://www.africanews.com/2023/02/22/fighting-resumes-in-somaliland-as-tens-of-thousands-flee/
[8] Africa Intelligence, “Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn,” 8 March 2023, https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2023/03/08/somaliland-conflict-takes-a-regional-turn,109921456-art
[9] VOA, “Somalia: Over 100 Reported Killed in Contested Somaliland Region,” 24 February 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202302270103.html
[10] VOA, “Somalia: Over 100 Reported Killed in Contested Somaliland Region,” 24 February 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202302270103.html
[11] UNSOM, International partners call for an immediate de-escalation of violence in Laascaanood, 7 February 2023, https://unsom.unmissions.org/international-partners-call-immediate-de-escalation-violence-laascaanood
[12] Africa Intelligence, “Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn,” 8 March 2023, https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2023/03/08/somaliland-conflict-takes-a-regional-turn,109921456-art
[13] UN Security Council, SC/15208, Amid Devastating Drought, Ongoing Rights Violations, Somalia Pushes Forward in Fight against Al-Shabaab Terror Group, Security Council Hears, 22 February 2023, https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15208.doc.htm
[14] Zawya, “UAE, Qatar, Somalia, Türkiye, UK, US issue joint statement on Somalia,” 8 March 2023, https://www.zawya.com/en/world/middle-east/uae-qatar-somalia-turkiye-uk-us-issue-joint-statement-on-somalia-wzf2bw0o
