Federal Gov’t Formally Recognises SSC-Khatumo as 6th Federal Member State

GOOBJOOG LAS’ANOD: The Somali government has formally recognized the SSC-Khatumo as a fully fledged Federal Member State increasing the number of federal units in the country to six.

Prime Minister Hamze Barre issued the recognition following the conclusion of three-day visit to Las’anod, the capital of Sool region. A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister noted that the Federal Government concluded the process following an interim recognition on October 19, 2023, following a consensus by leaders and elders from the region.

“The Federal Government has decided to recognize SSC-Khaatumo as a Federal Member State, to be finalized through the General Conference and a social contract (a constitution),” the statement read in part.

The recognition of SSC-Khatumo follows a series of clashes that culminated in major fighting in 2023 between Somaliland National Army and SSC-Khatumo forces backed by Puntland. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians were killed.

The Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) has been bitterly fought over by Puntland and Somaliland, both of which have variously asserted authority.

The office of the PM also said the SSC-Khatumo leadership handed over 25 prisoners of war who were captured in the 2023 fighting.