Somaliland President Held talks with international partners over LasAnod conflict

The President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi has held a video conference with some of the western diplomats that include USA, UK,  EU ambassadors and deputy ambassadors. according to the Somaliland Presidency. The center of their discussion was the ongoing conflict in LasAnod and the upcoming elections for this year.

In his remarks about the conflict, President Bihi recounted the various measures taken by his administration to lower tension and to restore peace and stability in the city while citing that the government sent a delegation of ministers to Las Anod to open dialogue with the traditional leaders. but, the traditional leaders refused to engage with them to reach a peaceful settlement. The statement reads.

Bihi noted the government withdrew its forces from the town to minimize civilian casualties and avoid further collateral damage to the city and also welcomed Ethiopia’s offer to mediate between the Somaliland government and the traditional leaders in Las Anod which was later allegedly rejected by the Garaads.

However, the diplomats extended gratitude to President Bihi for meeting with them and proposed that Somaliland pull its forces out of Las Anod. President Bihi attached to their proposal that Somalia’s Puntland administration withdraw its forces from Las Anod. 

He added that the driving force behind Puntland’s hostilities against Somaliland is to create a tribal border which will have devastating effects on the security and stability of the HOA wider region.