Somaliland Says Ready for Talks as Ictisaam Scholars Push Peace and Prisoner Swap With Northeastern Administration
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro says his government is ready to resolve grievances in the Sool region through dialogue, as Ictisaam religious scholars intensify mediation efforts between Somaliland and the Northeastern administration based in Las Anod.
HARGEISA (Somali Report) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has said his administration is prepared to resolve grievances in the Sool region through dialogue, as members of Ictisaam, a Salafi association of religious scholars and preachers that operates across Somalia, including Somaliland, step up mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions and securing a prisoner exchange with the Northeastern administration based in Las Anod.
Speaking during a meeting of the Somaliland Council of Ministers, Irro said his government remained committed to dialogue with communities in Sool, describing peace, reconciliation and national unity as priorities of his administration.
According to a statement issued by the Somaliland presidency, Irro reaffirmed Somaliland’s position that the Sool region is part of its territory while emphasizing that grievances should be addressed through negotiations rather than conflict.
“The government is ready for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the grievances in Sool,” the presidency said.
The president also called on Somaliland residents to welcome people returning from Las Anod, saying reconciliation should take precedence over political differences.
Irro’s remarks come days after Hargeisa welcomed Fahiima Yusuf Quuje, a former member of the Northeastern administration’s parliament, who resigned from the administration and publicly declared her return to Somaliland. Former Khaatumo vice president Mahmoud Abdillahi “Caano Nuug” has also recently returned to Hargeisa.
The president’s comments coincide with a mediation initiative led by Ictisaam, whose delegation is headed by Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad. The association has long been active in religious outreach and mediation efforts across Somali territories.
The delegation visited Las Anod this week, where it met Northeastern administration leader Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye and senior officials to discuss ways of reducing tensions and encouraging political dialogue.
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According to a statement issued by the delegation, Firdhiye welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to pursue peace and dialogue with Somaliland.
The Northeastern administration was established after Somaliland forces were expelled from Las Anod in early 2023 following months of fighting with local forces. It has since controlled the city and much of the surrounding territory, while Somaliland continues to regard Las Anod and the wider Sool region as part of its territory.
During their visit, the Ictisaam delegation also toured the main prison in Las Anod, where they met detainees from Somaliland. The scholars said the prisoners were in good condition and expressed optimism that mediation efforts could help secure their release.
The delegation said it has begun working on a framework for a prisoner swap involving detainees held in Las Anod and Hargeisa, arguing that political disputes should not result in prolonged imprisonment of Somali citizens.
The scholars also announced plans to travel to Hargeisa to meet Somaliland officials and continue their mediation efforts with both sides.
In a joint appeal, the Ictisaam scholars called on political leaders, traditional elders, religious figures, security forces and the wider Somali public to support dialogue, reconciliation and compromise, saying a durable settlement can only be achieved through negotiations.
The parallel calls for dialogue by President Irro and the mediation initiative by Ictisaam represent one of the clearest recent efforts to revive political engagement after more than three years of tensions over Las Anod and the Sool region. Although the dispute over the territory remains unresolved, the proposed talks and planned prisoner swap could serve as confidence-building measures if both sides agree to move the process forward.
About the Author
Khadar Abdi is the Somaliland Correspondent for Somali Report. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments, and regional affairs across Somaliland.