HARGEISA (Kaab TV) – The Somaliland government has stated that there have been no negotiations with the Federal Government of Somalia regarding the prisoners captured in Las Anod war by SSC-Khaatumo during the 2023 conflict.
In a press release issued on Thursday by the Somaliland Council of Ministers, the government clarified that it has had no discussions with the Somali government concerning the release of prisoners.
“The prisoners taken to Mogadishu by the Prime Minister of Somalia are not prisoners of war,” the statement from the Somaliland Presidency read.
The statement went on to say, “The Somaliland government considers this move an attempt to cover up the political failure of the Somali government.”
International cooperation on prisoner exchange
Somaliland said it had held discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and ambassadors from friendly nations to resolve the prisoner issue in accordance with international laws and procedures regarding prisoners.
“Somaliland is ready to exchange prisoners through any process that aligns with international prisoner exchange frameworks, with the ICRC at the core,” the statement continued.
“The Somaliland government has already discussed the issue of prisoners with its partner countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.”
SSC-Khaatumo Releases 25 Somaliland Prisoners of War
On Tuesday, the SSC-Khaatumo administration released 25 of the Somaliland prisoners who had been held in Las Anod, Sool region.
The release came following a visit by Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Las Anod this week.
In a joint statement issued by SSC-Khaatumo and the Somali government, it was announced that SSC-Khaatumo had agreed to release 25 prisoners due to special circumstances, describing the move as part of ongoing peace efforts.