The Horn of Africa stands at a critical crossroads. Recent reports indicating that the President of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, plans to visit Laascaanood on January 15, 2026, are not merely a diplomatic move; they represent a direct violation of Somaliland’s territorial integrity, unity, and political independence. This is a dangerous provocation that threatens to ignite a new wave of instability across the region
A Violation of Sovereign Borders
Laascaanood is an integral part of the Republic of Somaliland, situated within its internationally recognized colonial borders. For a leader who exercises no administrative control over this region to attempt an entry without the consent of Hargeisa is a blatant act of aggression. This move undermines the peace, security, and hard-won stability that Somaliland has nurtured for over three decades.
The Myth of the “Union”
The world must be reminded that the union between Somaliland and Somalia in 1960 was a failed experiment from the start. Crucially, there was never a legally binding “Act of Union” signed by both parties. As early as June 1961, the people of Somaliland overwhelmingly rejected the unitary constitution in a referendum. Despite this democratic rejection, the administration in Mogadishu ignored the will of the people, effectively hijacking Somaliland’s sovereignty.
The illegitimacy of this union was even confirmed by a Mogadishu court in 1963, which ruled that the union lacked a legal basis during the trial of Somaliland officers who attempted a coup to reclaim their independence.
Dissolving a Failed Union, Not Secession
It is vital for the international community to understand that Somaliland is not a “secessionist” region. Rather, Somaliland is exercising its legal right to dissolve a failed voluntary union. The 1960 merger between the State of Somaliland and Somalia was never legally formalized through a signed Act of Union. When the partnership turned into a regime of oppression, the people of Somaliland chose to withdraw from the arrangement—a decision reaffirmed by the 1961 referendum and the ultimate restoration of independence in 1991.
A History of Systematic Genocide
The ascent of Siyad Barre’s regime in 1969 escalated the marginalization of Somalilanders into a systematic campaign of terror. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the world watched in silence as the Somali state turned its war machine against its own citizens in the North.
International human rights organizations estimate that over 200,000 innocent civilians were massacred, hundreds of thousands were maimed, and more than half a million people were displaced. Major cities like Hargeisa were leveled to the ground, and billions of dollars in property and resources were looted. To this day, the perpetrators of these atrocities have not been held accountable.
A Mission to Prevent a Second Genocide
The core of Somaliland’s quest for recognition is the protection of its citizens. We cannot ignore the dark history of the 1980s and 90s, when the Somali state orchestrated a systematic genocide against the people of Somaliland, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 civilians. Today’s attempts by the FGS to exert control over Somaliland territory—particularly in Laascaanood and other Eastern regions—are viewed by the population as an existential threat. Our primary goal is to ensure our people never undergo another genocide at the hands of a Mogadishu-based administration.
The Modern Threat: New Alliances, Old Intentions
Today, the tragedy is being repeated in a different guise. It is deeply concerning that the Federal Government of Somalia, bolstered by military support from regional actors—including Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia—is seeking to exert control over a population it once sought to exterminate.
We call upon our brothers in the Muslim world: Do not be complicit in the shedding of Somalilanders’ blood. Your military and financial support should not be used as a tool to sponsor a new genocide against the children of those who survived the 1988 massacres. We urge these nations to remain neutral and respect the reality of two separate nations: the Republic of Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia.
A Call to the International Community
Somaliland has built a functional, democratic, and peaceful state from the ashes of war without significant international aid. It is an injustice to force a people who suffered such profound trauma back under the rule of their former oppressors.
The international community must not remain a bystander while foreign powers sponsor Mogadishu’s expansionist agenda for their own resource-driven interests. The world must recognize Somaliland’s right to self-determination and prevent a looming humanitarian catastrophe.
Conclusion
The planned visit to Laascaanood is a spark in a powder keg. If the world truly cares about peace in the Horn of Africa, it must demand that Mogadishu respects Somaliland’s borders. We have survived genocide once; we will not allow our sovereignty to be bartered away by those who seek to profit from our instability
We call upon the international community and neighboring nations to recognize the reality on the ground. Somaliland has built a functional, democratic, and peaceful state from the ashes of war. Forcing a people who suffered such profound trauma back under the rule of their former oppressors is not only unjust but a recipe for catastrophe.
The world must demand that Mogadishu respects Somaliland’s borders and acknowledges that the path to peace lies in mutual respect between two separate states—not in provocative visits that serve only to destabilize the Horn of Africa.
By: Dr. Abdi Abdillahi Hassan
Dr. Abdi Hassan is a writer analyzing regional affairs, and publishes most of his writings on Araweelo News Network.
The views, analyses, and conclusions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions or policies of Araweelo News Network Associated Online Agencies Review or any of its partners, affiliates, or Araweelo News Agencies not accept any responsibility or liability for the content of this article, including any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from its publication or use. This piece is intended for analytical and informational purposes only.