By Dalmar:
Las Anod, Sool, Somalia –
The SSC-Khatumo Central Committee assembly convened today in Las Anod. Jama Yasin Warsame (pictured on the left) emerged as the elected chairman of the SSC-Khatumo administration, securing 25 votes out of 45 available. Jama Adan Osman was elected vice chairman (pictured on the right).
The remaining 20 members voted for Mohamud Yusuf, who competed with Mr Yasin for the chairmanship of the Central Committee. Distinguished members from diverse strata of society, including the Supreme Council of the SSC, attended the event. The election hall hosted traditional leaders, the 45-member administrative council, the former 33-member council, the district and deputy mayors, military generals, the Police Commander, and members of the wider public.
The elected chairman, Jama Yasin Warsame, is a professor from the Sool region with previous studies in Islamic Sharia, administration and management, and conflict resolution. He has also played a key role in spreading religious knowledge in Somalia. Notably, Mr Yasin is one of the active members of the SSC society and religious scholars in the Sool region.
The interim leadership of the administration was sworn in on 26 July. Adan Abdullahi Aw Hasan, the oldest committee member and a researcher specialising in agricultural economy, was elected interim chairman. The 45-member committee replaced the 33-member committee that was selected in February. Their mission is to oversee the affairs of the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayan (SSC) regions and liberate them from Somaliland forces.
The conflict for Las Anod
The conflict erupted in the contested city of Las Anod on 6 February of this year. The clashes have involved forces from the self-declared state of Somaliland and local militia affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan. The clan, which resides in the areas of Sool, Sanaag and Ayn (also known as Buuhoodle, especially in Somaliland’s interpretation), historically disputed between Somaliland and Puntland and did not want to contribute to dividing the Somali state. The Dhulbahante claim Las Anod as their capital.
