Laas-anood (Dawan Africa) – The highly anticipated convention aimed at finalizing the formation of the SSC-Khaatumo administration will officially open today in Laas-anood, following two previous delays. The conference, critical to the political future and governance structure of SSC-Khaatumo, will open amid ongoing political and social tensions.
The convention, initially scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, was postponed due to technical reasons, according to Najiib Barkhadle Warsame, the SSC-Khaatumo Minister of Information. The delays were attributed to disputes among local clans in the SSC regions, particularly concerning political representation and power-sharing agreements.
The Federal Government of Somalia, which is currently represented in Laas-anood, has been mediating with community leaders to address these tensions and help guide the process.
However, the convention is facing boycotts from several presidential candidates, who have publicly announced their withdrawal, accusing the current leadership of violating prior agreements and undermining the legitimacy of the administration. Additionally, some traditional elders have criticized the direction of the convention, claiming that the process does not reflect the will of the local communities and calling for a comprehensive review and reconciliation before moving forward.
Today's opening session has seen the presence of representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, who are expected to observe and provide support throughout the conference.
Despite today’s milestone, SSC-Khaatumo faces ongoing distrust between its leadership, local clans, and political contenders vying for roles in the administration. The outcome of this convention is expected to have a significant impact on the political trajectory of the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions. Both the people of the region and Somalis nationwide are closely monitoring the developments expected in the coming days.