Somaliland Announces Investigation, Pulls Armed Forces Back Following Borama Violence.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) delivered a grave and measured statement on Friday following the deadly unrest in Borama, offering condolences to the families of those killed and outlining immediate steps to restore calm in the region.
“In this solemn hour, I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured,” President Irro said, describing the moment as one that demands unity and restraint from all sides.
“The State stands with you — in grief, in healing, and in unwavering solidarity.”
Addressing public outrage over the fatal clashes between security forces and protesters, the president announced that he had ordered the National Armed Forces stationed in Borama to return immediately to their barracks.
He said this decision was intended to reduce tensions and “ensure that the situation does not escalate further.”
President Irro also confirmed the launch of a “comprehensive and independent investigation” into the events that triggered the unrest, promising that its findings will be handled with “the full rigor of the law” and guided by “transparency, justice, and accountability.”
“There is no duty more sacred than safeguarding our people, and no value higher than the sanctity of their blood,” he said. “It must never be shed.”
The remarks mark the administration’s strongest effort so far to address the crisis, which has strained public confidence and ignited calls for clearer communication between local leaders, the central government, and affected communities.
Tensions in Borama remained high Friday as residents demanded accountability over the deaths and clarity from authorities on the sequence of events surrounding the protest.
President Irro’s directive to withdraw military units is expected to be closely watched as both a test of the government’s control of the situation and a measure of its commitment to preventing further violence.
