By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Hargeysa(Mogadishu24)-Somaliland’s political leaders from both the ruling party and opposition parties held a meeting in Hargeisa on Saturday to address pressing security issues, particularly the situation in Las’anod.
After the meeting, President Muse Bihi Abdi and the chairman of the opposition party Wadani, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro), jointly held a press conference.
They addressed the intense battle that took place in Las’Anod between the Somaliland Army and SSC forces, leading to the SSC forces gaining control over the Goja’ade Military Base.
President Bihi and Mr. Irro have shown an unexpected sense of unity on the matter, sending a message that their commitment to the cause of Somaliland exceeds political competition and leadership aspirations.
President Bihi acknowledged the huge loss suffered by the Somaliland Army in the conflict and declared the intention to seek revenge from the SSC forces, whom he labeled as ‘enemies’.
He further emphasized the need to form a committee comprising members of parliament, ministers, and leaders of political parties, to analyze the losses during the battle and determine the necessary measures to prevent any further escalation of the situation.
“Throughout the eight months of conflicts in Las’Anod, this is the first battle where our forces have suffered such a huge loss and defeat,” stated President Bihi.
Mr. Abdirahman Irro has appealed for peace and unity among the communities living in Somaliland.
However, there are celebrations in Las’Anod because of the victory against the Somaliland Army, which they said has been launching mortar attacks on residential areas for the past eight months.
The local forces are celebrating their victory, seizing Goja’ade, which was a strategic base for the Somaliland forces, capturing Somaliland soldiers as well as weapons including machine guns and vehicles.
Videos and photos from the celebrations in Las’Anod are being spread through social media, with the absence of neutral media outlets to provide reliable and unbiased information.
Although Somaliland incurred substantial losses in the Sool conflict, the potential for a solution to the deep-seated division that had threatened its existence appears to be emerging.
Despite the significant losses, including deaths, property loss and destructions, and the seizure of weapons and locations, inflicted on the Somaliland Administration, this solution seems to mark an end to the long-standing political stalemate that could have jeopardized the existence of Somaliland.
After the agreements on the electoral timeline and process, the unity seen today between President Bihi and Abdirahman Irro raises questions about whether the Somaliland Administration can reclaim Las’Anod or if the region will integrate itself with the Federal Government of Somalia.
