HARGEISA, Somaliland (HornPost)— President of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Irro, has reaffirmed that achieving lasting peace, national unity and social cohesion is the top priority of his administration, as efforts continue to address tensions surrounding Sool region and Las Anod.
President Irro made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa with House of Representatives Speaker Prof. Yasin Haji Mohamoud Hir, also known as Faraton, members of the national peace committee, government ministers and other officials.
The meeting focused on strengthening peace efforts, national unity and dialogue within Somaliland.
The president said his government remains committed to resolving existing grievances and disputes through dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful means.
“The first item on my government’s agenda is lasting peace, so that the people of Somaliland can live together and every Somaliland citizen can sleep in peace,” Irro said.
Referring to the conflict in Sool and events in Las Anod, the president described the situation as an unfortunate episode among members of Somaliland society and said such disputes should be addressed through peaceful dialogue and reconciliation.
“What happened in Sool can only be described as an unfortunate situation that occurred among Somalilanders,” the president said.
Irro said disagreements can emerge within communities and even families, but emphasized the importance of having mechanisms to resolve disputes while preserving social unity.
Somaliland Peace Efforts
House Speaker Faratoon said President Irro has been working to advance peace, reconciliation and unity among Somaliland communities.
He said the president’s peace initiative was making progress and praised efforts aimed at bringing communities together.
Faraton also described Fahima Yusuf Quje as a potentially important participant in efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the situation in Las Anod.
Abdulkadir Haji Ismail Jirde, chairman of Somaliland’s National Peace Committee, said the peace initiative concerning Las Anod would be pursued without preconditions.
“The president has led us toward unconditional peace. There should be no conditions attached to peace,” Jirde said.
He said key priorities include finding a political solution, working toward the release of prisoners and restoring movement and communication among civilians.
Fahima Quje Returns With Peace Message
Fahima Yusuf Quje, a political figure who recently returned to Somaliland, said she was pleased to come back carrying a message of peace and reconciliation.
Quje said she was returning not only in her personal capacity but also representing people and communities she said had been absent from Somaliland because of political grievances.
“I have returned to my country and my people carrying the flag of peace and responding to the peace initiative launched by the president,” Quje said.
She said her return demonstrated that armed conflict cannot provide a lasting solution to disagreements within society.
Fihima Quje also said she plans to travel to Sool to deliver a message of peace and gratitude to residents of the region following the cessation of fighting.
“I will go to Sool carrying the flag of peace. My message to the people of Sool is that they are grateful for the peace and for having a break from the fighting. I reaffirm that war is not the solution,” she said.
Quje said she hopes residents of Sool will support the peace initiative and participate in efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Quuje previously served as a member of the parliament of the administration based in Las Anod before changing her political position and publicly reaffirming support for Somaliland’s independence. She is now participating in efforts aimed at promoting peace between Somaliland and communities in the Las Anod area.
The meeting was attended by Speaker Faraton, members of the Somaliland government and officials from Las Anod and the wider Sool region.
The Somaliland government’s renewed emphasis on dialogue comes as the administration seeks a peaceful political settlement to the conflict surrounding Las Anod, while prioritizing national unity and reconciliation.
Prepared by:
Horn Post Staff
HARGEISA, Somaliland
