Colonel Said Awil Jama Arre’s hostile rhetoric raises tensions between Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo. The former rebel leader returned from Turkey and received a warm welcome from the Members of Somaliland’s Parliament at Hargeisa Airport. During a press conference, Col. Arre made statements that could escalate the animosities between the self-declared state of Somaliland and the SSC-Khaatumo administration based in Las Anod.
Hargeisa, Somaliland, SOMALIA.
Col. Arre called on the people of Somaliland to take up arms. “Every capable man should carry a gun to defend the country. Numerous problems, including poor administration, flawed policies, and a lack of unity, plague the nation. It must be saved from these issues.”
Referring to SSC-Khaatumo, he dismissed their aspirations. “I want to tell our neighbours who call themselves Khaatumo that dreaming alone won’t take you anywhere. Whether you turn to Hassan Sheikh [the President of Somalia] or Firdhiye [the leader of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, Abdulqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali ‘Firdhiye’], you won’t be able to form your own federal member state in the Sool region.”
Col. Arre also mentioned the Sanaag region, specifically the town of Erigavo (also Ceerigaabo). It is important to note that both the Isaaq and Harti clans live in this city. “Your properties in Sanaag [referring to Erigavo] are no different from those I own in Turkey. Anyone who interferes will face the consequences. The war will extend from Qorilugud to Jidali and be led by great men.” Qorilugud is a town in the Togdheer region of the self-proclaimed Somaliland, north of Buuhoodle. Jidali is a town in the Sanaag region.
General Tani on a visit to Erigavo
These hostile statements come in the context of Major General Noah Ismail Tani, the commander of the Somaliland Army, visiting Erigavo to inspect the troops. He transferred their command from General Muse Jama Delef to Brigadier General Abdullahi Sufi.
The developments indicate that tensions between Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo are steadily increasing. There are concerns that Somaliland may be preparing for a potential conflict with SSC-Khaatumo while employing tactics that could incite clan violence among the people. It appears that there is a strategic objective to rally former rebels to engage in hostilities and attempt to regain territories Somaliland lost on 25 August.
