MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Hundreds of residents staged a mass demonstration in the northern town of Burao on Thursday, protesting reports that the Somaliland government is considering the release of war prisoners from the disputed SSC-Khatumo region.
Protesters voiced strong opposition to any unilateral release, demanding that no prisoners be freed unless SSC-Khatumo authorities first release Somaliland military personnel captured during past clashes.
The unrest followed recent remarks by the Speaker of Somaliland’s House of Elders, Saleban Mohamud Adan, who called for the unconditional release of prisoners held in the contested Sool region. He warned that any reciprocal deal involving direct talks could inadvertently signal Somaliland’s recognition of SSC-Khatumo’s self-declared autonomy—something Hargeisa firmly rejects.
Somaliland lost control of the region in 2023 following intense fighting with unionist clan militias aligned with the Somali federal government. Since then, SSC-Khatumo has operated independently, asserting its status as a federal member state of Somalia and demanding non-interference from Somaliland.
In an apparent shift, Hargeisa is now exploring mediation efforts through clan leaders from Ethiopia’s Somali region to broker a potential prisoner exchange and pave the way for broader reconciliation.
However, SSC-Khatumo leaders have reiterated that no prisoner swap or peace agreement will be possible without direct negotiations and formal recognition of their administrative independence. They also insist that Somaliland must pledge not to intervene in their internal affairs.
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