Somaliland government on Monday strongly condemned what it described as the deployment of federal Somali troops to east of the Sanaag region, warning of potential consequences and holding President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud personally accountable.
Speaking at a press conference in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, accused the federal government of overstepping its mandate by allegedly intervening in a region that Somaliland claims as part of its sovereign territory.
“We warn him not to interfere in matters outside his authority,” Minister Ayaanle said. “Somaliland has its own borders, and we will defend them.”
He urged the Somali federal government to focus instead on stabilizing areas under threat from al-Shabab militants, including Moqokori district in Hiiraan, which was recently attacked by the extremist group.
Minister Ayaanle further claimed that Somali federal troops staged a protest on Sunday over unpaid wages, accusing the government in Mogadishu of misusing international aid intended for stabilization efforts. He alleged that such funds were being diverted to provoke unrest in peaceful areas like Sanaag.
“The peace and mutual respect that the people of the Sanaag region have long enjoyed will be preserved,” Ayaanle added. “We have no space for Hassan Sheikh in our territories.”
The Somaliland government said it remains committed to maintaining order and has continued efforts to promote peace and unity among communities in the contested region.
