President Irro Empowers Somaliland’s Peace Committee to Lead National Reconciliation and Stability Efforts

The Republic of Somaliland is taking a historic step toward lasting peace with the establishment of the Peace Committee, an initiative personally championed by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro). This newly formed body, composed of highly respected elders and community leaders, is tasked with fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and national unity—an essential move to secure Somaliland’s future as a beacon of stability in the Horn of Africa.

During a pivotal meeting at the Presidential Palace, President Irro emphasized the significance of the Peace Committee’s role in shaping a harmonious society. He stated that this committee is not just symbolic but a fully empowered institution with the legal authority to mediate disputes, resolve conflicts, and strengthen the social fabric of Somaliland.

The Peace Committee’s mission is to create an environment of understanding where communities can overcome historical grievances and unite under Somaliland’s vision of progress and peace. By engaging with traditional leaders, elders, and local stakeholders, the committee aims to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Beyond its national impact, the Peace Committee has gained international recognition, with observers praising Somaliland’s commitment to self-led conflict resolution and governance. This initiative sends a strong message to the world: Somaliland is not just maintaining peace—it is actively building it from within.

The committee has already begun its work, holding early discussions with key figures in conflict-affected regions. Their approach is centered on community engagement, trust-building, and diplomacy, ensuring that peace is not just an agreement on paper but a reality in every region of Somaliland.

President Irro has also pledged full government support for the committee, ensuring it has the resources, authority, and national backing to carry out its mandate effectively.

As Somaliland continues its journey toward international recognition, the Peace Committee stands as a testament to the country’s resilience, wisdom, and commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future.

This is a turning point—Somaliland is proving that true peace comes from within, led by its own people, for the benefit of all.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) has initiated high-level diplomatic engagement with Finland, signaling a strategic push for international recognition and development aid. Hosting Finland’s Special Envoy for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Sultan Said Ahmed, the Somaliland leader framed his administration as a beacon of stability, democracy, and peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa—even as tensions escalate in Erigavo and eastern Sool.

The President urged Finland to expand its cooperation with Somaliland in healthcare, education, tax reform, and security partnerships, capitalizing on Finland’s reputation as a leader in these sectors. He emphasized Somaliland’s 34-year experience in conflict resolution, portraying his government as a willing partner in regional stabilization efforts.

Finland’s recognition of Somaliland’s March 2024 elections and peaceful power transition adds credibility to Cirro’s administration at a critical moment. The Finnish delegation also expressed support for Somaliland’s newly appointed Peace Commission, positioning Finland as a potential mediator in Somaliland’s territorial disputes with SSC-Khaatumo factions and Mogadishu-backed groups.

This diplomatic maneuver comes at a pivotal time, with Somaliland facing renewed domestic security threats and by aligning with Finland, Cirro is not only securing economic and developmental partnerships but also leveraging international credibility to bolster Somaliland’s bid for recognition—a move that could alter the regional balance of power.

Somaliland has tightened its grip on Erigavo, deploying new security measures to prevent further escalation following recent clashes that have displaced 45,000 people. The government’s crackdown comes after Dhulbahante and Warsangali clan leaders openly declared plans to seize the city, heightening fears of renewed violence.

A high-level Somaliland delegation visited the contested region, enforcing a strict disarmament order: all armed groups must vacate Erigavo immediately, and only police forces will be allowed to maintain security. Officials have warned that any unauthorized individual carrying a firearm will face legal action.

The move is a direct response to the rising threat posed by SSC-Khaatumo fighters, who have gained momentum following a clan conference in Badhan. Somaliland traditional leader Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of fueling the unrest, alleging that Mogadishu is exploiting the “one-person, one-vote” election rhetoric to interfere in Somaliland’s affairs.

As Erigavo becomes a flashpoint for power struggles, Somaliland’s government urges displaced residents to return, insisting that security has been restored. However, tensions remain high, with thousands still seeking refuge in nearby towns such as El Afweyn, Lasqoray, and Bosaso.

This crisis is no longer just a regional skirmish—it is rapidly evolving into a proxy battleground for Somali political factions. With Somaliland reinforcing its territorial control and Mogadishu-aligned forces pushing for a foothold, the risk of a full-scale confrontation in Sanaag has never been greater.

Somaliland’s markets are burning—and with them, the livelihoods of thousands. The Gobonnimo Market fire is just the latest in a series of catastrophic blazes that have devastated Hargeisa’s commercial hubs. Waaheen Market (2022), Wajaale Market (2023), and now Gobonnimo Market (2025)—all tell the same story of poor infrastructure, inadequate fire response, and a lack of preventive measures.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro, alongside senior government officials, visited the scene, expressing sorrow and pledging government support. His call for national unity and fundraising reflects Somaliland’s resilience, yet the larger question remains unanswered—why do these fires keep happening?

The Waaheen Market inferno of 2022—the worst in decades—took 16 hours to control, destroying 2,000 shops, 100 buildings, and displacing countless families. In 2023, the Wajaale Market fire caused losses worth $5.3 million, once again proving Somaliland’s economic hubs are high-risk zones without adequate fire protection.

The repeated devastation has sparked public frustration, with demands for transparent investigations into causes, accountability, and prevention. The formation of a technical committee to assess damages is a delayed reaction, not a preventive solution. Somaliland’s economy relies on trade, yet its commercial centers remain vulnerable to fires that could be avoided with better urban planning and safety protocols.

Without modernized fire safety regulations, clear urban zoning, and rapid response infrastructure, Somaliland will continue to relive this nightmare—again and again. The government’s next step must not be just compensation and damage control; it must be prevention.

Hargeisa Market Blaze Exposes Infrastructure Failures

The Gobonimo Market fire in Hargeisa has been fully extinguished, but the aftermath reveals a crisis beyond financial losses—a failure of basic infrastructure. Firefighters, police, and military forces battled the inferno, yet poor access roads significantly hindered their response, allowing the flames to spread unchecked.

For traders, the devastation is more than just material. One businesswoman described waking up to her entire livelihood reduced to ashes, a tragic reality for many who relied on the market for survival.

Eyewitnesses and traders blamed the lack of roads for amplifying the destruction. Narrow alleys, overcrowded stalls, and the absence of emergency pathways turned the market into a death trap for businesses. Fire engines struggled to navigate the congested streets, costing valuable time in a battle against the blaze.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, initial reports point to electrical faults and unsafe storage of flammable materials. The disaster raises serious questions about Hargeisa’s urban planning, with critics urging authorities to prioritize fire safety, enforce building regulations, and modernize market infrastructure.

Unless Somaliland’s leadership acts decisively, this tragedy will not be the last.

In a sharp rebuke to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Somaliland’s Ministry of Defence has dismissed reports suggesting that recent airstrikes targeting ISIS militants struck the Golis Mountains within its territory. According to Somaliland, the actual strikes occurred in the Galgala Mountains, part of the Puntland region of Somalia, not in Somaliland’s jurisdiction.

The misidentification of the strike location has sparked tensions over the sensitive territorial boundaries between Somaliland and Puntland. While the Golis range traverses both regions, Somaliland insists the Galgala Mountains—where the strikes reportedly took place—are firmly in Puntland, near the Bari region’s town of Galgala.

Somaliland’s leadership emphasized the importance of precise boundary recognition in its ongoing quest for international recognition. The statement reaffirmed Somaliland’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts and its partnership with the U.S. in promoting regional stability.

By challenging AFRICOM’s report, Somaliland seeks to assert its territorial integrity and strengthen its international position, demanding clarity and respect for its borders. The incident underscores the volatile geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, where every square kilometer carries strategic significance.

A new front is emerging in the long-running tensions between Somaliland and Somalia, as clan leaders in Badhan declare their intent to capture the strategic city of Erigavo. With accusations mounting that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is actively orchestrating the conflict, Somaliland’s leadership is preparing for what could become a major military confrontation in the Sanaag region.

Boqor Osman Aw Mohamud Buurmadow, one of Somaliland’s most influential traditional leaders, has directly accused Mohamud of manipulating clan politics under the guise of “democratic reforms.” According to Buurmadow, Mohamud’s real agenda is not promoting democracy but using clan militias to destabilize Somaliland. The Dhulbahante and Warsangali clans, key players in the disputed SSC-Khaatumo movement, have allegedly begun stockpiling weapons, signaling an imminent offensive on Erigavo.

“This is a war project designed in Mogadishu,” Buurmadow declared. “Hassan Sheikh is using the false pretense of elections to justify his interference in Sool and Sanaag, when in reality, he is arming clans and fueling division.”

Erigavo is the capital of Sanaag and one of Somaliland’s most strategic strongholds, with both economic and military significance. Losing control of the city would be a crippling blow to Somaliland’s territorial integrity.

Despite previous ceasefire agreements, clan militias have resumed attacks, prompting Somaliland to reassess its military posture. The SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw Ali Firdhiye, in contrast, claims the mobilization is a defensive move against Somaliland’s forces, alleging human rights abuses in the region.

With both sides digging in and diplomatic efforts crumbling, the risk of all-out war is growing. The Horn of Africa, already a powder keg of competing interests, cannot afford another destabilizing conflict. Yet, unless external mediators intervene, it appears Mogadishu’s covert push to undermine Somaliland will only escalate further.

The key question remains: Is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud willing to risk full-scale war to crush Somaliland’s sovereignty? Or is he playing a dangerous game that could backfire on his own administration?