A Quest for Recognition: Las Anod and Somaliland’s Road to Independence

Arno J., Isabela D. 03/14/2024

The What, the Where, and the Why

A breakaway state seeking international recognition, Somaliland is a self-declared autonomous region located in northern Somalia. Somaliland’s push for autonomy can be traced back to its colonial past. The era of New Imperialism that characterized the late 19th century brought northern Somalia under British rule, while the remainder of present-day Somalia became an Italian colony. These different administrations exacerbated disparity in economic and political development, a trend that would impact future integration.[i]

In 1960, amidst the decolonization of the wider African continent, north and south became independent from European rule. For five days, British Somaliland gained independence as the State of Somaliland before unifying with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.

In 1969, Somalia’s then-President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was assassinated and a military coup headed by Mohamed Siad Barre put Somalia under dictatorial rule. Barre’s harsh treatment of Somalia’s largest clan, the Isaaq, eventually led to his downfall. The Isaaq make up around 80% of Somaliland’s population[ii]. In the 1980s, a rebellion was mounted by the Somali National Movement (SNM), kickstarting the Somaliland War of Independence and the ouster of Barre in 1991.Together with the toppling of Barre’s regime, the SNM proclaimed Somaliland’s independence and established the city of Hargeisa as its capital. Up until this day, Somaliland is largely self-governing and, as opposed to south and central Somalia, has experienced relative stability in the past few decades. Nevertheless, its sovereignty is still not recognized by any foreign power.[iii]

SSC, the Ripple in Somaliland’s Placid Waters

The (Second) Battle of Las Anod

When local opposition leader Abdifatah Abdullahi Abdi was assassinated on December 26, 2022, a violent uprising destabilized Somaliland’s power over Las Anod, leading to violent confrontations between protestors and Somaliland Police.[v]

On February 6, 2023, a committee composed of town leaders and traditional elders of the Dhulbahante clan deliberated on the political future of the SSC. The committee publicly announced its intention to break away from Somaliland's administration to become a federated state within the Federal Republic of Somalia under the name SSC-Khaatumo.[vi] Since then, clashes between the Somaliland army and SSC-Khaatumo forces have been wreaking havoc on Las Anod and its civilian population. The week of February 6, 2023 saw fighting and bombardments kill at least 82 people and displace 90% of Las Anod’s residents. The region produced 185,000 internally displaced persons and 60,000 refugees in February 2023 alone.[vii]

By September 2023, the frontlines of the battle had roughly taken the form of the boundaries between the Isaaq and Dhulbahante clans, marking a significant loss of territory for Somaliland.[viii] On October 19, 2023, the federal government of Somalia recognized the SSC-Khaatumo as federated state. Though violence has largely subsided since November 2023, tensions continue to run high with Somaliland forces still deployed in Cayn as of late January 2024.[ix]

Humanitarian Toll

The conflict over the governance of Las Anod and the SSC has exacted a heavy toll on the civilian population, exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation on the ground. The humanitarian impact of the conflict reverberated beyond the immediate battleground, straining already overstretched resources in neighboring Puntland and other East African nations – which received thousands of refugees from Somaliland and the SSC. Access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water has become increasingly scarce, further compounding civilian suffering.

In 2023, more than 203,000 people fled Las Anod, with Puntland harboring the vast majority of internally displaced persons (IDP).[x] Unsurprisingly, 96% of IDPs indicated that conflict and insecurity were the main driver of displacement. Upon arrival, 49% of IDPs stated that shelter was their most urgent need, while 34% classified food as the first priority.[xi] At present, Somaliland itself has an estimated 571,400 IDPs[xii], in a context where the resources of receiving territories – including those of international organizations operating in the region – are already stretched thin due to failing rainy seasons, political unrest, and floodings. As such, the SSC conflict contributes significantly to the humanitarian catastrophe gripping present-day Somalia.

This relative stability was abruptly disturbed in 2022 as a result of an ongoing territorial dispute over the city of Las Anod (Laascaanood) and the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions surrounding it. Collectively, these regions are often referred to as the SSC.

Somaliland’s claim to Las Anod and the SSC can be traced back to the colonial borders established under British rule. Demographically, however, the vast majority of Las Anod’s citizens belong to the Dhulbahante sub-clan, the predominant tribe in neighboring Puntland.[iv] Since the Battle of Las Anod in 2007, Somaliland had been relatively successful in keeping the SSC under its command. This changed in December 2022.

Source: Touring Club Italiano / Wikimedia Commons. Emphasis added