Following the capture of several army positions near Las Anod in August 2023, Khatumo forces effectively expelled Somaliland troops from Dhulbahante territory, securing most of their claimed area and establishing a new front line between the villages of Oog and Guumays in western Sool.[5][6]
SSC-Khaatumo was acknowledged as an interim administration by the Federal Government of Somalia on 19 October 2023,[7] following its re-establishment on 6 February 2023, as SSC-Khaatumo after a period of mass civil unrest in Las Anod.[4]
History
Establishment
A Khatumo State proclamation ceremony in Dubai (2013)
The SSC movement was established in the first half of 2009. A meeting was held by the Dhulbahante clan to establish a regional government directly under the Federal Republic of Somalia, including residents of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn. In early 2012, the Khaatumo State was established in Taleh, a significant town in the Sool region. This followed a series of events, including the collapse of the SSC movement.[8]
Khatumo is derived from an Arabic term meaning a "positive conclusion." The administration's stated aim was to bring development and stability to the region through the establishment of a locally based government.
The conference in Taleh involved key personalities from the region and the diaspora, with support from local leaders and intellectuals.[8]
After extensive consultations, over 2,300 Dhulbahante clan members gathered in Taleh for a ten-day conference, which concluded with the decision to establish the autonomous Khaatumo State of Somalia.[8]
Split of Khaatumo and dissolution of Ali Khalif group
Within a year of its founding, Khaatumo began to dissolve due to a lack of palpable results[9] and by 2015 the proto state practically ceased to function,[10] with the idea of an autonomous Khaatumo state having lost ground among the Dhulbahante, the clan that inhabits the area, a year after its establishment.[11]
In August 2016, Khatumo State commenced peace talks with Somaliland.[12][13] The talks, however, caused a major disagreement between the president and vice-president of the administration, Ali Khalif Galaydh and Abdulle Agalule respectively, which eventually produced two separate administrations that both claimed to be the legitimate government.[14] The group led by Ali Khalif reached an agreement with Somaliland, at the town of Aynabo in October 2017, which stipulated that under the condition of changing the constitution of Somaliland, the organization would become integrated within the Somaliland government.[15]
The agreement made by Ali Khalif Galaydh and Silanyo in October 2017 couldn't be implemented because it was rejected by the Isaaq clan and also by Muse Bihi, who won Somaliland's presidency in the November 2017 elections. This marked the end of the Khaatumo State until its reestablishment in 2023 during the 2023 Las Anod conflict.
On 6 February 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within Somalia.[16] On 19 March, the traditional leaders met with a delegation of MPs from Federal Government of Somalia.[17][18]
After mass protests continuing from December into January 2023, the retreat of the Somaliland troops paved the way for the return of the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali – a community leader exiled from Las Anod since 2007.[19] Rumor spread of a grand meeting of all Dhulbahante clan elders, followed by speculation that the elders would vote to exile Somaliland security forces from the city.[20] On 6 February 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia.[16] Fighting broke out earlier on the same day in Las Anod between Somaliland troops and Dhulbahante militias in the Sayadka Hill suburb (reportedly home to two committee members), with shots heard in the streets surrounding Hamd Hotel where Somaliland dignitaries were staying.[21]
On 8 February, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, accused the Somaliland government of genocide, called for peace and declared Las Anod's intent to be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia.[22] Within the same week of February, fighting and civilian bombardments had killed at least 82 people in total and displaced 90% of the residents. The region had produced 185,000 internally displaced people and 60,000 refugees in February.[23] On 2 March, the mayor of Las Anod reported that Somaliland forces were bombing public buildings from the surrounding countryside including government institutions and hospitals. The UN also reported a casualty count of over 200 deaths.[24]
On 7 June, the UN Security Council released a statement reaffirming its "full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia." They also stated, "The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Somaliland' security forces and urged all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence, and inflammatory rhetoric. This is in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust, and create the conditions for peace."[25] The following day, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their view that the UNSC "appears to be misinformed about the facts on the ground", stating that they took care to rigorously avoid civilian casualties, only firing to protect their defensive positions against the militia forces.[26]
On 25 August, the SSC administration overran two strongholds of the Somaliland National Army in Maraaga and Goja’adde, claiming to have captured numerous towns, weapons, vehicles.[27] On the same day, the Somaliland Ministry of Defense released a statement saying, "The National Army is in the midst of reorganization and serious preparation to confront the enemy."[27]
Following the capture of the Goojacade army base, in Fall 2023 the frontline shifted to western Sool, emerging between the villages of Oog and Guumays. According to the Crisis Group, this division roughly corresponded to boundaries between Isaaq and Dhulbahante clans.[28]
As of August 2024, the front line lies about 100km away from the city of Las Anod, where a military stalemate presently holds, and the carrying of weapons is strictly prohibited within the city.[29][30]
Recognition
Interior Minister Fiqi (left) with Firdhiye (right)
In accordance with a joint press release, Abdulqadir Firdhiye, the President of the newly formed SSC-Khatumo interim administration, was invited, along with a delegation, to Mogadishu. During a 10-day period, extensive discussions were held on the political, security, and humanitarian situation in the disputed region.[31]
Ultimately, on 19 October 2023, the Federal Government agreed to endorse the statement by traditional elders during their conference in Las Anod on 6 February 2023, which stated that SSC-Khatumo was not under the authorities of Puntland or Somaliland, but under the Federal Government.[7]
Additionally, the Federal Government called on Somaliland authorities and SSC-Khatumo to halt hostilities and release prisoners, expressing readiness to facilitate associated activities.[31]
Government
Khaatumo's government structure comprises a legislative body and an executive body, with ongoing initiatives to establish a judicial body.
The Legislative Assembly Council of the SSC-Khaatumo administration commenced its term on 7 July 2023, with the swearing-in of 45 members. These members were selected by regional Garaads and Sultans on 6 July 2023.[32]
The SSC-Khatumo Legislative Assembly Council assembly convened on 1 August 2023, in Las Anod to select its leadership. Jama Yasin Warsame secured the position of Speaker, garnering 25 votes out of the available 45, while Jama Adan Osman was elected as the Vice Speaker.[33]
Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye) became the President of the SSC-Khatumo Administration on 5 August 2023, receiving 30 out of 45 total votes. Mohamed Abdi Ismail (Shiine) was elected as the Deputy President.[34][35]
President Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali announced the appointment of cabinet secretaries on 12 September, each nominated secretary underwent a vote of confidence from the SSC-Khaatumo 45-member committee to ensure their alignment with the administration's objectives.[36]
The Legislative Assembly Council unanimously approved the nine cabinet secretaries appointed by the President on 26 September, officially concluding the formation and assembly of both the executive and legislative bodies of the government.[37]
Military
From Left - Chief of Staff, Khatumo Army
Khatumo maintains its own security forces. Exclusively financed by the state administration, they are tasked with assuring local security and defending the region's borders.[38] According to Khatumo President Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, the forces are well trained and armed.[39]
Khatumo troops have been deployed in defense positions in Guumays area against Somaliland troops in Oog and other border towns within Khatumo-Somaliland border.[40][41][42][43][44]
On 11 February 2024, President Firdhiye appointed General Saleban Barre Hasan to be the head of Khatumo military forces,[45] with Mohamed Saleban Cabbi serving as the official spokesman.[46]
Sool is a disputed administrative region (gobol). It borders Togdheer to the west, Sanaag to the north, Ethiopia to the south and Nugal, Bari to the east. Its capital city is Las Anod. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo. The region is partially controlled by both polities.
Las Anod is the administrative capital of the Sool region, currently controlled by Khatumo State forces aligned with Somalia.
The Dhulbahante is a Somali clan family, part of the Harti clan which itself belongs to the largest Somali clan-family — the Darod. They are the traditional inhabitants of the physiographic Nugaal in its topographic sense, and its pre-independence administrative sense, which included Doollo. The clan's progenitor is buried at Badweyn.
Taleh is a historical town in Sool region of Somalia. The town served as the capital of the pre-independence Dervish movement.
Sarmaanyo is a town in the Sool region of Somalia/. (Sometimes considered in the Sanaag region.
The Puntland–Somaliland war is a ongoing War over the provinces of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn of Togdheer regions between the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and the Puntland state of Somalia.
Buuhoodle, also known as Bohotle, serves as a significant border town for the movement of goods between Khaatumo and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The surrounding district is rich in livestock with growing agricultural activities.
Yagori is a town in the northern Sool Region ofSomalia.
Hudun is a historical town in the northern Sool, region of Somalia, and the seat of the Hudun District. Khatumo has effectively controlled there since around 2023.
Sahdheer is a town in southern Sool region of Somalia.
Garad Jama Garad Ali is the 21st supreme traditional clan Sultan (Garaad) of the Dhulbahante. He has significant influence in Somalia's current politics, particularly in Ssc-Khatumo.
Dharkayn Geenyo is a town in the southern Sool region of Somalia.
Tukaraq is a small town in the eastern Sool region of Somalia. The town is located on the road between Las Anod and Garowe in Las Anod District. Khatumo State has had effective control there since 2023, but Puntland also has a territorial claim.
Adhi'adeye or Ade Adeeye is a town in the Sool region of Somalia currently under the control of Khatumo State forces. It is around 30 miles northwest of Las Anod, the regional capital of Sool.
Ahmed Abdi Mohamud Sugulle "Habsade" is a Puntland and Somaliland politician. He was a decorated Colonel in the Somali Armed Forces and the second in command of the Somali Custodial Corps equivalent to that of the Italian Arma dei Carabinieri but the Custodial Corps fall under the Ministry of the Interior and are part of the Police Force. A politician and respected elder later in life (he was instrumental in the founding of Somaliland and became the Speaker of the Somaliland House of Representatives. In 1998, he was appointed Minister of the Interior of Puntland but was dismissed in 2007 after a conflict with Mohamud Muse Hersi, who became President of Puntland in 2006. In 2007, he brought Somaliland troops into Las Anod, leading to Somaliland's effective control of the Sool region. He served as various Somaliland Ministers of state from 2008. In 2014, Abdiweli Gaas became President of Puntland and he come back to Puntland.
'SSC or HMB-SSCUnity and Salvation Authority of the SSC regions of Somalia' or HBM-SSC was the name of the self-proclaimed autonomous government of the Dhulbahante clan living between Somaliland and Puntland, which was active from 2009 to around 2012. It claimed possession of the so-called SSC regions of Sool (S), Sanaag (S), and Cayn (C).
The Las Anod conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Somaliland National Army and the Khaatumo SSC forces of the Dhulbahante in Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region.
Garad Mukhtar Garad Ali Burale is one of the traditional leaders in the Sool region.
Garad Jama Garad Ismail Duale is the one-highest traditional leader in the Sool region of SSC-Khaatumo State of Somalia
Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, nicknamed Firdhiye, is a Somali politician who serves as the current president of Khatumo State of Somalia.
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