The President of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali ‘Firdhiye’, warns Isaaq tribes and intends to set up a war crimes tribunal to address the actions of captured Somaliland soldiers. The announcements came during President Firdhiye’s recent interview.
Las Anod, SSC, SOMALIA. By Dalmar:
President Firdhiye acknowledged that not all prisoners would face legal proceedings. “Not all the prisoners will face justice. But there are several prisoners that both of us can agree are war criminals. We will take those prisoners to court,” he told the host.
Highlighting the administration’s dedication to establishing a functional judiciary, President Firdhiye emphasized, “My administration will have a judiciary branch. The prisoners are under arrest. When we complete the formation of our judiciary, we will take them to our court to face trial.”
This announcement signals the SSC-Khaatumo administration’s commitment to ensuring that individuals accused of war crimes are held accountable for their actions. The move marks the administration’s pursuit of justice and reconciliation in a region that has witnessed a violent conflict since February.
Stern warning to Isaaq tribes
Moreover, the leader of SSC-Khaatumo warned the neighbouring clans that if any bullet originates from their areas and targets the SSC territories, these clans will become legitimate targets. “I am calling on the neighbouring clans. If yesterday you were saying it was the [Somaliland] authorities who were fighting [against us], this authority has now left.” President Firdhiye asserted that SSC defeated Somaliland, not the ‘people of Somaliland’, while reiterating his call for peace.
This message represents one of the strongest statements to date from the leader of SSC-Khaatumo towards the Isaaq tribes living along Dhulbahante territories. It coincides with Somaliland’s efforts to recruit members of Isaaq clans to confront the SSC forces, signalling that the ‘regular’ Somaliland army suffered unbearable casualties during the Gooja’adde battle.
The concern is that Somaliland aims to transform the conflict into a clan-based one. This would bring severe implications primarily for the inhabitants of border towns like Oog, Ainabo (Caynaba) or Qorilugud. “We will no longer blame Mohamed Kaahin [Somaliland’s Minister of Interior] or Bihi [Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi]. We will hold the Isaaq tribes of Oog accountable if we are attacked via Oog,” asserted President Firdhiye. He sent a stern warning to communities that might allow Somaliland forces to attack SSC from their territories.
