LAASCAANOOD (Kaab TV) – The Deputy Leader of the SSC-Khatumo administration, Mohamed Abdi Ismail (Shiine), has publicly opposed a planned conference spearheaded by the Federal Government of Somalia, aimed at bringing together stakeholders from the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions to unite under SSC-Khaatumo.
In a press conference held in Laascaanood, Shiine criticized the federal government’s involvement, describing it as interference driven by political interests, and stated that SSC-Khatumo would not recognize any meeting that precedes the major conference they have planned themselves.
“There is no conference we recognize before our main summit. Therefore, we cannot be part of it,” Shiine said.
He emphasized that while the federal government may support and facilitate, it should not directly interfere in the internal affairs of SSC-Khatumo.
Shiine’s remarks mark the highest-level rejection from within the SSC-Khatumo leadership since the federal government formally recognized the entity as a provisional administration.
He further accused SSC-Khatumo leader Abduqadir Aw-Ali [Firdhiye] of aligning with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s political party, and attempting to advance partisan interests in the SSC regions.
“Mr. Cabduqaadir Aw-Cali has joined a political party with its own agenda, which he now seeks to implement here—one that is not in line with the interests of the people or the region,” Shiine added.
Veteran politician Cabdirisaaq Khaliif, a founding member of SSC-Khatumo and former lawmaker from Somaliland, stood alongside Shiine during the press event.
Khaliif played a key role in the Dhulbahante uprising during the 2023 Laascaanood conflict.
The controversy arises as the federal government pushes ahead with plans to host a major reconciliation conference for Sool and Sanaag, scheduled to take place on July 15.
The meeting is expected to bring together elders, politicians, and community leaders from both regions.
However, local opposition to the initiative is growing.
Reports suggest that armed factions and political figures have recently arrived in Sanaag, causing unrest among the local population, who reportedly rejected the move.
At the same time, Puntland, which retains partial control over parts of Sanaag, has voiced strong opposition to the federal government’s role in organizing the conference.
The rising tensions reflect the fragile political landscape in northern Somalia and signal a potential rift within the SSC-Khatumo leadership, despite federal efforts to foster regional unity.