Hopes of solidifying the SSC-Khaatumo regional state took another hit this weekend when a much-anticipated summit in Laascaanood was postponed for the second time, raising concerns about the future of the region’s statehood aspirations.
Initially set for Thursday, the summit was first pushed to Saturday and then moved to Sunday due to last-minute disagreements among key players. The main issue at hand continues to be the significant divisions regarding the territorial boundaries of the new state.
Many influential traditional elders insist SSC-Khaatumo should initially limit itself to its currently controlled territories, with plans to incorporate contested areas like Sanaag postponed to avoid further tensions.
However, Somalia’s federal government opposes this incremental approach. Mogadishu is pushing for the inclusion of all parts traditionally claimed by SSC-Khaatumo from the outset, arguing it is essential for a stable federal arrangement.
The current interim president of SSC-Khaatumo spent Saturday night in tense consultations with elders, trying to secure consensus. However, the talks ended without any real progress pointing to a deeper struggle over authority, recognition, and the region’s uncertain future.
Garaad Jaamac Garaad Ali, a respected elder from the Dhulbahante community, has openly questioned the process and expressed significant concerns.
“I do not reject an SSC-Khaatumo conference,” he said, “but I oppose the imposition of ideas we’ve rejected for 15 years plans imported from elsewhere.”
Echoing these concerns, Suldaan Maxamed Suldaan Cabdullahi and Ugaas Maxamed Ugaas Ibraahim declared: “The Sanaag and Haylaan regions are not part of the Laascaanood conference,” underscoring local resistance to broad federal conditions.
Elders have also warned the federal government against enforcing conditions they deem unacceptable, accusing Mogadishu of failing to respect local priorities.
In a sign of growing federal concern, Mogadishu dispatched a high-level delegation to Laascaanood on Sunday to mediate. The team includes Deputy Senate Speaker Senator Abdullahi Ali Hirsi (Timacadde), Federal Minister of Interior and Reconciliation Ali Yusuf Ali (Ali-Xoosh), and Minister of Energy and Water Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame.
For Somalia’s federal government, the stakes are strategic. Formal recognition of SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state would weaken Somaliland’s international argument for independence. It could also check the influence of the Puntland regional state, which has historic territorial claims over some of the same areas.
As political wrangling heats up, local leaders are warning that without real agreement, SSC-Khaatumo could end up repeating the same mistakes it hopes to avoid.