The United States has expressed growing concern over the ongoing violence in Las Anod, Somaliland, and is urging parties involved to de-escalate the situation, adhere to the agreed ceasefire, and resume dialogue toward a peaceful resolution.
The US State Department calls on Somaliland to pull back its security forces and urges militias in Las Anod to halt offensive actions against them. This comes after recent reports of over 1,500 injuries since February 6 due to Somaliland’s attacks on Las Anod, the heart of the movement to reunify the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) with Somalia.
Larry André, US Ambassador to Somalia has asked Somaliland president Muse Bihi to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Las Anod.
Andre met with Bihi Abdi on Wednesday to discuss the conflict in the disputed just days after Somaliland announced it would launch offensive attacks against the SSC Khatumo forces in Las Anod.
Ambassador André tweeted that during their conversation, he encouraged the President to create distance between the opposing forces and to announce a roadmap for future elections.
“During a frank conversation with him this afternoon, I encouraged him to do both,” said Ambassador André.
Somaliland’s announcement of the offensive attacks coincided with President Muse Bihi Abdi’s visit to the military’s headquarters in Hargeisa. While there, senior security officials briefed him on the Las Anod conflict.
Ceasefire efforts have been underway since last week. On Tuesday, traditional elders in the conflict-torn town of Las Anod accepted a ceasefire request from a group of traditional elders who arrived in Las Anod to find a peaceful solution to the three-month-old conflict.
Sultan Mustafa Aw Saed spoke on behalf of the elders, stating that the ceasefire was accepted following a meeting between the elders.
