Laascaanood – The political standoff between Somaliland and Somalia has entered a new and more sensitive phase following the arrival of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the contested city of Laascaanood, a move that has triggered strong reactions across the region.

The visit marks the first time in many years that a sitting Somali president has set foot in the city, which sits at the center of a long-running territorial dispute between the two sides. For Mogadishu, the trip is being presented as a symbol of national unity and restored federal authority. For Somaliland, it is viewed as a direct political challenge and a violation of its claimed borders.

During his visit, President Hassan met with local leaders, traditional elders, and officials from the newly formed administration aligned with the Somali federal government. He praised residents for what he described as their “decision to rejoin the Somali state” and promised increased development projects, security cooperation, and federal investment in the region.

However, in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s leadership responded with sharp criticism. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) condemned the trip, calling it a “provocative and unacceptable interference” in what Somaliland considers its sovereign territory. His government warned that the move could further inflame an already fragile political and security situation.

Laascaanood, located in the Sool region, has been a flashpoint for years, with control shifting amid clan tensions, political rivalries, and armed confrontations. Although Somaliland has claimed the area since declaring independence in 1991, local forces and leaders aligned with Mogadishu took control of the city in 2023, reshaping the political landscape on the ground.

The president’s visit now appears to cement Somalia’s political presence in the city, a development that could harden positions on both sides and complicate any future dialogue.

Regional analysts warn that unless diplomatic channels are reopened, the dispute over Laascaanood could evolve from a political disagreement into a broader confrontation affecting stability across northern Somalia.

For now, the city stands not only as a geographical battleground, but as a powerful symbol of two competing visions: Somaliland’s pursuit of full independence and Somalia’s insistence on preserving its territorial unity.

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