Deni urges dialogue to end Erigavo crisis

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Friday January 31, 2025

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni addresses the public during a recent event

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has called for immediate dialogue to de-escalate tensions in Erigavo following recent clashes that have unsettled the normally restive city.

Deni urged both sides to prioritize peaceful resolutions, warning that continued violence could undermine decades of coexistence. “Erigavo is a shared home for communities from both Puntland and Somaliland,” Deni said. “For 30 years, they have lived together peacefully. It is critical that we maintain that legacy through dialogue, not conflict.”

Deni called on Somaliland leaders to reconsider their approach to the issue. “This situation is damaging and serves no one,” he said. “Somalis share common enemies in groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS. We must focus on fighting those threats instead of engaging in clan-based or political violence.”

His remarks were welcomed by Ahmed Abdi Muse, the governor of Somaliland’s Sanaag region, who highlighted the long-standing agreement that has allowed residents of Ceerigaabo to live under Somaliland’s administration since the 1990s. Muse stressed the need for continued peace, stating that local communities should cooperate to uphold stability.

The last round of clashes began on December 14 and have displaced nearly 43,000 people, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Many displaced families have fled to El Afweyn, Lasqoray, and other parts of the Sanaag region, while others sought refuge in Bossaso, Las Anod, and Burco. The UN reports that the displaced urgently need shelter, food, clean water, and medical services as humanitarian efforts remain disrupted by the ongoing conflict.

Ahmed Abdi Muse, the governor of Somaliland’s Sanaag region, confirmed that Somaliland forces maintain control of Ceerigaabo following the withdrawal of SSC-Khaatumo forces on December 16. Muse dismissed claims of internal discord and framed the conflict as an external campaign by SSC-Khaatumo militants and their Puntland backers to undermine Somaliland’s sovereignty.

SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdikhkhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye has vowed to reclaim Ceerigaabo, stating that their efforts mirror the successful takeover of Las Anod. “Our mission is clear. We will not rest until Ceerigaabo and the entire Sanaag region are back under our authority,” he said recently, calling on the diaspora and local communities to support the ongoing campaign.

The Dhulbahante and Warsangeli clans, united under the broader Harti clan alliance, declared a joint campaign to "reclaim the city" after a six-day conference in Badhan. They formed a 21-member committee to coordinate defence operations and are working closely with Puntland’s military, which has long supported efforts to challenge Somaliland’s control in the region.

The conflict has drawn attention from regional actors, with SSC-Khaatumo reportedly receiving pledges of support from clan representatives in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Analysts warn that without a diplomatic solution, the violence could further destabilize the surrounding areas, where clan dynamics and historical grievances have long fueled tensions.

To stabilize the city, Somaliland authorities imposed curfews and instructed troops to confiscate weapons from civilians. The Ministry of Internal Security praised the military’s efforts to maintain order and urged humanitarian organizations to assist displaced families. However, SSC-Khaatumo leaders have accused Somaliland forces of targeting local populations and destroying property—allegations that Somaliland officials deny.

Regional and international actors have intensified efforts to broker peace. The United Kingdom has urged both sides to exchange prisoners as a first step toward de-escalation. British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis made the appeal after meeting with Somaliland’s newly formed peace committee.

Somalia’s federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation has called for an immediate end to the hostilities and urged both sides to engage in peace talks.

However, distrust remains high on both sides. Somaliland’s commitment to negotiations has been met with skepticism by SSC-Khaatumo leaders, who view previous talks as unproductive.

Erigavo, the capital of the Sanaag region, is a strategic flashpoint due to its geographic and symbolic importance. Its control is critical to Somaliland’s claims over the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions, which form part of its self-declared territory. However, Puntland-aligned factions view the region as integral to their federalist vision for Somalia.

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