Tuesday May 27, 2025

Las Anod (HOL) – The Supreme Traditional Leader of SSC-Khaatumo, Garaad Jama Garaad Ali, called the Somaliland administration to choose between accepting peace or engaging in renewed conflict, insisting that Somaliland will never govern the SSC-Khaatumo territories.

Speaking on Monday, Garaad Jama emphasized that no genuine peace has been achieved between SSC and Somaliland, despite recent reconciliatory gestures from some Somaliland elders, notably Sultan Da’uud Sultan Abdiqadir, whom he praised for showing clarity and goodwill.

“I am not coming to your homes, and I will not allow you to invade mine,” said Garaad Jama, stressing his commitment to defending SSC territory.

“Somaliland must choose either accept a peaceful settlement and step back from SSC-Khaatumo or prepare for confrontation. There is no middle ground where they rule us.”

Garaad Jama dismissed Somaliland’s claims of pursuing peace in Eastern Sool as disingenuous, stating that true peace can only be achieved by respecting the independence of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, which declared its interim self-rule in 2023.

His comments follow a recent peace initiative led by SSC intellectuals and Sultan Da’uud, which sought to end the protracted and deadly conflict between the two sides. While that move was welcomed locally, tensions remain high due to Somaliland’s rejection of SSC’s self-declared status and Puntland’s competing claims over the territory.

The Federal Government of Somalia has recognized SSC-Khaatumo as part of its federal structure, a move vehemently opposed by both Somaliland and Puntland, who claim sovereignty over the region.