Council members elected Abdirizak Maxamed Farah Wiwa as the new Mayor of Hargeisa, and Aadan Jaam’a Haddi Mideye as Deputy Mayor of the capital city.

In his first remarks after being elected, Mayor Wiwa said the session had concluded peacefully and pledged to accelerate the delivery of services and municipal work.

“It is thanks to God that this extraordinary session has concluded peacefully and with dignity. I promise to serve you and to take the work of the city further than where it currently stands, God willing,” Wiwa said.

He also called on members of the City Council to cooperate with him, share constructive advice, and work together for the development of Hargeisa.

The election came after the Hargeisa City Council earlier today officially removed the former mayor of the capital, Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge, along with his deputy, Khadar Ahmed Omar.

The motion of no confidence, which was submitted a day earlier, cited allegations related to failure to fulfil official duties and other administrative concerns, according to some council members.

Somaliland government media, which was present at the Hargeisa Municipality headquarters, reported that council members attended the session where the motion was debated.

The meeting was chaired by the Governor of Marodi Jeeh region, and the Secretary of the Hargeisa Municipality was also in attendance.

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The fire erupted in the 26 June district, neighborhood 150, and rapidly consumed the family’s house, which was constructed from corrugated iron and closely surrounded by similar dwellings, the Hargeisa Fire Department said.

Authorities explained that the tight spacing between the structures enabled the flames to spread quickly, giving the occupants little opportunity to escape. The children who lost their lives were girls aged 12, 7, and 5.

The Somaliland Police Criminal Investigation Department has launched an inquiry into the cause of the fire. While no preliminary conclusions have been announced, investigators are assessing how the blaze began.

Hargeisa’s fire chief warned that fires linked to electrical faults and unsafe living conditions are becoming more frequent, particularly in areas where children are present. He urged residents to take preventive measures and reduce potential fire hazards.

“We are witnessing a rise in fires caused by electrical issues and unsafe environments,” the fire chief said, emphasizing the need for greater public awareness and safety precautions.

The Somaliland government announced it had provided $40,000 in emergency assistance to the affected family. Officials also expressed condolences and offered prayers for the victims, asking for strength and patience for the surviving relatives.

Residential fires remain a recurring danger in Hargeisa, where many residents live in informal housing with limited fire safety resources. Last year, another deadly blaze claimed the lives of several children after a domestic dispute led to a house being set on fire.

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Minister Ayanle, who had not appeared in the media during the two days of protests in Borama, said the President had assigned him to announce the difficult decision permitting the Xeer Ciise ceremony. He added that the President later presented the calming, conciliatory statement as if it were his own, effectively becoming both spokesperson and decision-maker.

“I cannot shoulder, as Ahmed Yasin, the burden of announcing a harsh decision that sparks conflict for my own clan and region, while the softer message that soothes the community is attributed to the President,” the minister said.

He described the President as an honorable man who had given him the opportunity to serve, and he expressed gratitude for their working relationship. He added that he visited the President today to tender his resignation in writing, which was accepted, and the two parted with prayers for each other.

“I pray for Somaliland, and I thank the people for the support they showed me during my time in office,” he said.

The minister also delivered a special message to the people of Awdal region, urging them to preserve peace and avoid entering a conflict whose end they cannot foresee. He advised the Awdal community not to fall into divisions with neighboring groups.

“Today, we are at a good point. You have the right to reject what you oppose, but please avoid actions that will not bring us any good—actions that enemies might exploit or that could stain our history. This is my advice as one of your own,” he added.

The situation in Borama has calmed this evening after the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, suspended the Xeer Ciise ceremony. It has been agreed that a peace dialogue will be held on the 10th of this month.

However, the Ciise community has expressed anger at the government’s latest decision, insisting that the ceremony must be allowed to proceed.

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A colleague of Andar told Kaab TV that the journalist was taken into custody at the headquarters of Hargeisa’s police investigation unit.

The reasons for Andar’s arrest have not yet been disclosed.

Since President Irro took office, there has been a noticeable increase in the detention of journalists in Somaliland.

Media organizations have reported that, over the past ten months, cases of journalists being arrested have risen sharply, raising concerns about the state of press freedom in Somaliland.

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Speaking to reporters in Hargeisa on Tuesday, a government committee tasked with reviewing the issue said telecom firms had no legal basis to jointly raise prices on August 8, calling the move a direct threat to competitive market practices.

Communications and Technology Minister Jamaal Mohamed Jama said the committee met with internet service providers and reviewed their justification for the price increase before ruling that the coordinated action could not stand. He said the companies’ decision to raise prices simultaneously amounted to an unlawful agreement that distorted market conditions.

Aviation and Airports Development Minister Fu’aad Ahmed Nuux, who read the committee’s decisions to the media, said any business arrangement that harms the public including companies aligning their prices at the same level and at the same time is prohibited under Somaliland’s market system.

He stressed that Somaliland operates a free-market model, meaning prices must rise or fall based on demand, supply, and competition, not through coordinated action among service providers.

Telecommunications companies raised internet prices on August 8, triggering widespread public outcry across major towns and on social media. The backlash forced the companies to withdraw the increase within days, underscoring the public’s reliance on affordable connectivity and the sensitivity surrounding digital access in the region.

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In a statement issued Thursday, the bank said the E-Visa agreement “was entered into entirely in Mogadishu” and has no connection to Somaliland’s financial system.

The Central Bank stressed that Premier Bank’s Somaliland branch operates strictly under Somaliland’s financial laws and is not part of Somalia’s payment gateway for E-Visa processing.

“The Central Bank of the Republic of Somaliland informs the public that the E-Visa service agreement for Somalia was entered into within Somalia, and Premier Bank Somaliland had no role in that process,” the statement read. The bank added that it is closely monitoring local financial institutions to prevent Somaliland’s financial system from being linked to any services or agreements that fall outside its legal framework.

The bank also warned the public and media against spreading unverified information that could damage the credibility of Somaliland’s financial institutions, saying that anyone involved in illegal financial activities would be held accountable.

The Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the independence and stability of Somaliland’s financial system and encouraged the public to maintain confidence in its institutions.

Mukhtaar Mohamud, Chairman of the Economic Committee in the Somaliland House of Elders, told Bulsho TV that Premier Bank is a private company and cannot be held responsible if its Mogadishu branch handles Somali E-Visa payments.

“I heard Ismail speaking about this recently. Banking is a private business—this is a political issue,” he said. “Our banks such as Dahabshiil, Dar es Salaam, Premier—operate in all Somali-populated areas. We are in conflict with a federal government, not with private banks.”

He accused WorldRemit founder Ahmed Ismail of taking advantage of the current political tensions and warned businessmen against politicizing commercial institutions.

“A bank is a container for money. A branch in Mogadishu cannot refuse if money is deposited,” he said.

Premier Bank Somaliland also defended itself after Ahmed Ismail said earlier this month that the federal E-Visa system was linked to Premier Bank. The bank said it is fully registered under Somaliland law and provides services only within Somaliland, including its payment gateway system.

Business Manager Hussein Hassan Hussein said Premier Bank had no involvement in Somalia’s E-Visa arrangements and noted that Ismail Ahmed “has no evidence” for his allegations.

Somalia launched its mandatory electronic visa and travel authorization system on September 1, 2025, calling it a major step toward improving security screening and financial transparency. All foreign travelers must now apply for a visa online before entering the country.

However, Somaliland and Puntland rejected the system, with Somaliland insisting that only documents issued by its own immigration authority are valid in its territory, while Puntland said the federal E-Visa is “illegal” and that regional governments maintain authority over airport and border procedures.

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Speaking to reporters in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s Minister of Defense, Mohamed Yusuf Ali (Ilkacase), announced that the government is actively working through multiple channels to ensure the safe return of the detained soldiers.

While he declined to disclose specific details of the negotiations, the minister emphasized that the process is ongoing and that the government is exploring all possible options.

“The process to release the prisoners is underway. The government is committed to doing everything possible to bring back our captured soldiers. There are several channels now open to us, but I cannot disclose the details at this time,” said Minister Ilkacase during the press briefing.

The minister’s statement marks the first official acknowledgment by Somaliland authorities that talks are taking place regarding the captured personnel, signaling a potential thaw in the tense standoff that has persisted since the outbreak of hostilities in Lasanod.

The conflict in Lasanod—which began in late 2022 and escalated throughout 2023—pitted Somaliland’s security forces against local fighters aligned with the SSC-Khatumo movement, a group that seeks autonomy for the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions under the Federal Government of Somalia.

The clashes resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and led to the capture of several Somaliland soldiers, particularly following the battle for Goja’adde, one of Somaliland’s major military bases in the area.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that efforts to secure the release of the prisoners involve community elders, religious leaders, and regional mediators, although no official confirmation has been made about who is leading or facilitating the talks.

The situation in Lasanod remains fragile, with humanitarian organizations continuing to report displacement and humanitarian challenges as a result of the prolonged conflict.

Analysts believe that any progress in prisoner negotiations could help pave the way for broader dialogue and potential de-escalation between the opposing sides.

For now, the Somaliland government has reiterated its willingness to engage in peaceful means to resolve the matter and bring home its detained soldiers.

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According to the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), at least 10 journalists were arrested between March and July 2025.

On May 11, police arrested journalist Mohamed Abdi Hassan on charges of “inciting violence” after he reported on a clan conflict in the Sanaag region.

On May 23, independent journalist Abd Qadir Mohamed Aw-Hasan was sentenced to six months in prison for “insulting the president” after posting a satirical video online.

On May 29, journalist Warsame Kafi Abdirashid Aden was detained following an interview with a woman who accused a senior judge of assault.

On June 9, Syed Musa Farah, a journalist from Erigabo, was fined after reporting on alleged mismanagement at the local TB Hospital.

On June 22, Abdirisaq Qasim of Saab TV was arrested in Berbera for allegedly broadcasting accusations against senior officials online. He was later transferred to Hargeisa and released following community mediation.

On July 1, police in Hargeisa arrested journalist Yasir Ahmed Abdillahi after he criticized President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro’s visit to Qatar. The Maroodi-jeh Regional Court later acquitted him of any wrongdoing.

These incidents highlight a growing pattern of politically motivated arrests, judicial harassment, and censorship aimed at silencing journalists and restricting public scrutiny of Somaliland’s authorities.

In late September, a new wave of arrests took place. On September 27, 2025, police in Erigabo (Sanaag region) arrested four journalists who questioned Education Minister Ismail Yusuf Duale about the closure of local schools.

They were detained for seven hours before being released without charges, while a fifth journalist was reportedly injured and escaped.

On the same day, Gabiley police detained journalist Mohamed Wadaad after he reported on the arrest of community elders protesting government land seizures in Wajale.

He remains imprisoned without an arrest warrant, a clear violation of Somaliland’s constitution.

Earlier in September, Burco police arrested Abdicasis Saleeban Sulub of KF Television for 18 days under orders from the Togdheer regional governor, following his coverage of a sensitive report. Although later acquitted, he remains in detention pending appeal.

On September 11, three journalists in Borama were briefly detained after reporting on local criticism of the regional governor during President Irro’s visit.

Meanwhile, journalist Ahmed Mohamud Dool has been imprisoned for 30 days in Hargeisa after alleging police involvement in murder cases.

Despite promises of reform under President Irro’s leadership, press freedom in Somaliland continues to deteriorate.

The SJS reports 24 arrests of journalists and the banning of two media outlets in the past nine months—evidence of growing intolerance for dissent and erosion of civil liberties.

In another blow to media independence, on August 9, 2025, the Maroodi Jeex Regional Court of Appeal reinstated restrictions against Hadhwanaag News, ordering local internet service providers to block access to its websites—hadhwanaagnews.co, hadhwanaagnews.ca, and hadhwanaagtv.com.

The court also sentenced each journalist at the outlet to six months in prison and fined them 500,000 Somaliland shillings (approximately $50).

Hadhwanaag News had previously been suspended in September 2019 after publishing allegations of corruption involving former Central Bank Governor Ali Ibrahim Jama (Ali Baghdadi).

The site was reinstated in February 2025 following a court decision, but the renewed restrictions signal an ongoing campaign to silence critical voices in the region.

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Speaking at a press conference in Hargeisa after returning from a trip abroad, Hirsi expressed his frustration over the new digital visa requirement, which he said has created unnecessary obstacles for Somalilanders traveling from overseas.

The new system compels individuals flying from foreign countries to apply online for a Somali entry visa according to him—a process he characterized as “a deliberate attempt to inconvenience and harass citizens of Somaliland.”

Hirsi directly accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of breaking promises he made before assuming office, particularly regarding his commitment to fostering dialogue and mutual respect between Somalia and Somaliland.

The opposition leader argued that the E-Visa policy contradicts those assurances and further deepens the rift between the two sides.

“President Hassan Sheikh, I am telling you—this action is driving the two sides further apart,” Hirsi declared. “Our people are resilient and will not be intimidated by any political pressure or administrative hurdles.

Somaliland will never accept actions designed to undermine its dignity or restrict the movement of its citizens.”

Hirsi went on to emphasize that Somaliland has its own political and administrative systems, and therefore, any measures imposed by Mogadishu that affect Somalilanders without consultation are unacceptable.

The Federal Government of Somalia recently implemented the E-Visa system as part of a broader plan to modernize and strengthen immigration and border control procedures.

Under this system, all foreign travelers—including Somaliland citizens who do not possess a Somali passport—must obtain an entry visa online before traveling to Somalia.

Somali authorities have defended the move, stating that the E-Visa program aims to enhance national security, streamline immigration processes, and combat irregular entry.

Critics like Hirsi argue that the policy has political undertones, designed to assert federal control over Somaliland, which continues to operate as a self-declared independent state since 1991, though it remains unrecognized internationally.

Hirsi’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, as the two sides continue to disagree over sovereignty, governance, and administrative control.

His statement has resonated widely among Somalilanders, many of whom view the E-Visa requirement as another example of political interference from the Somali federal government.

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The letter, titled “Request for Official Recognition of the Republic of Somaliland,” outlines the historical, legal, and moral grounds for Somaliland’s right to statehood.

President Irro emphasizes that recognizing Somaliland would not destabilize the Horn of Africa, but instead enhance regional peace, cooperation, and security.

President Irro opened his letter with a message of goodwill to the government and people of the United States, describing Somaliland as a “brave, resilient, and peace-loving nation” that has long awaited its rightful place in the international community.

He recalled that Somaliland first gained independence on June 26, 1960, when it was recognized by more than 35 nations, including members of the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

Just days later, Somaliland voluntarily entered a union with the former Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic.

“The union,” Irro wrote, “was never legally ratified by the people of Somaliland and did not reflect their will. Our sovereignty was lost without consent.”

The President’s letter highlights the armed struggle led by the Somali National Movement (SNM), which restored Somaliland’s freedom in 1991 following years of oppression and conflict under the military regime of Siad Barre.

“Our people were farmers who became fighters, mothers who endured unimaginable suffering, and elders who emerged as leaders,” Irro said, paying tribute to those who fought for the nation’s rebirth.

Since reasserting its independence in 1991, Somaliland has built one of the most stable and democratic systems in the region.

The President noted that the country has conducted multiple free and fair elections, maintained an independent judiciary, and fostered a vibrant civil society — all without significant international assistance or recognition.

President Irro underscored Somaliland’s strategic location along the Red Sea, describing it as a critical hub for global trade, regional security, and counterterrorism efforts.

“Our geography makes us a natural ally in promoting peace and stability,” he wrote. “Somaliland stands firmly against terrorism and piracy, and we are committed to ensuring maritime safety in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.”

He also referenced the growing importance of the Port of Berbera, which has become a major commercial gateway connecting East Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and the Middle East.

The port’s expansion, he added, has strengthened Somaliland’s role as a key player in regional economic integration.

The President concluded his appeal by calling recognition of Somaliland a “legal, moral, and strategic obligation.”

He argued that continued denial of Somaliland’s statehood contradicts principles of justice and self-determination enshrined in international law.

“Recognition of Somaliland is not a favor,” he wrote. “It is an acknowledgment of truth and a step toward lasting peace and fairness in the Horn of Africa.”

The letter, dated May 17, 2025, was signed by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) and sent to over 120 nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and other countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

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