Khatumo State

A Khatumo State proclamation ceremony in Dubai (2013)

Khatumo is derived from an Arabic term meaning a "positive conclusion." The administration's stated aim was to bring development and stability to the region through the establishment of a locally based government.[3] Many inhabitants previously self-referred as being denizens of SSC, which became KS (Khatumo State).[6]

Control of the territory was disputed between Khatumo State (formerly HBM-SSC or Hoggaanka Badbaadada iyo Mideynta SSC), the autonomous Somalian region of Puntland, and the Republic of Somaliland.[7]

In January 2012, the Khatumo State administration was finalized after a series of domestic and overseas conferences beginning in 2007 between prominent political figures, traditional leaders and local residents. The territory's capital was initially at Taleh.[3]

In March 2012, Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) announced that it had approved the Khatumo State.[8]

Within a year of its founding, Khaatumo began to dissolve due to a lack of palpable results[9] and by 2015 the proto-state practically ceased to function,[10] with the idea of an autonomous Khaatumo state having lost ground among the Dhulbahante, the clan that inhabits the area, a year after its establishment.[11]

President Silanyo and Ali Khalif signing the Somaliland-Khatumo Agreement in Aynabo in October 2017

In August 2016 Khatumo state commenced peace talks with Somaliland.[12][13] The talks, however, caused a major disagreement between the president and vice-president of the administration, Ali Khalif Galaydh and Abdulle Agalule respectively, which eventually produced two separate administrations that both claimed to be the legitimate government.[14] The group led by Ali Khalif reached an agreement with Somaliland, at the town of Aynabo in October 2017, which stipulated that under the condition of changing the constitution of Somaliland, the organisation would become integrated within the Somaliland government.[15]

The vice president of Khatumo State, Cabdalle Maxamuud Cali (Cagalule), rejected the agreement, and declared himself the president of Khatumo State and announced that he supported Puntland's efforts to reclaim the Sool region.[16]

On February 6, 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within Somalia.[17] On 19 March, the traditional leaders met with a delegation of MPs from Federal Government of Somalia.[18][19]

After mass protests continuing from December into January 2023, the retreat of the Somaliland troops paved the way for the return of the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali – a community leader exiled from Las Anod since 2007.[20] Rumor spread of a grand meeting of all Dhulbahante clan elders, followed by speculation that the elders would vote to exile Somaliland security forces from the city.[21] On February 6, 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia.[17] Fighting broke out earlier on the same day in Las Anod between Somaliland troops and Dhulbahante militias in the Sayadka Hill suburb (reportedly home to two committee members), with shots heard in the streets surrounding Hamd Hotel where Somaliland dignitaries were staying.[22]

On February 8, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, accused the Somaliland government of genocide, called for peace and declared Las Anod's intent to be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia.[23] Within the same week of February, fighting and civilian bombardments had killed at least 82 people in total and displaced 90% of the residents. The region had produced 185,000 internally displaced people and 60,000 refugees in February.[24] On March 2, the mayor of Las Anod reported that Somaliland forces were bombing public buildings from the surrounding countryside including government institutions and hospitals. The UN also reported a casualty count of over 200 deaths.[25]

A number of fellow Harti-Darod (including Warsangali & Majeerteen) clans local or the diaspora Canada and the United States, Somali diaspora have announced their support for the Las Anod unionist movement and sent money and armed militias to the city.[26][27] The Dhulbahante are receiving money, equipment and fighters from allied Darod-Harti clans in Somalia - the Warsangali and Majeerteen.[26][27]

On April 20, Amnesty International released a report concluding a 2-month human rights investigation into the Las Anod conflict. The report called for urgent investigation into the conflict, including interviews from local citizens describing shrapnel and mortar shell deaths.[28] The report also included photos of indiscriminate 107mm rocket shelling from Somaliland security forces – confirming use of weapons banned as part of the current UN Somali arms embargo.[28][29]

On June 7, the UN Security Council released a statement reaffirming its full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia. They also stated, "The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Somaliland' security forces and urged all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence, and inflammatory rhetoric. This is in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust, and create the conditions for peace."[30] The following day, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their view that the UNSC "appears to be misinformed about the facts on the ground."[31]

On July 11, Somaliland troops were reported to have shelled a health facility in Las Anod, destroying 2 ambulances and causing dozens of casualties (including healthcare workers and patients).[32] The World Health Organization published a press release condemning the attack on the facility and the shelling of hospitals.[33] In response, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statement as "disturbing" and claimed that they were fighting clan militias and Al-Shabaab terrorists, to ensure "that those in need have access to these services and other humanitarian assistance".[34]

On 16 August, Somali traditional poet Abwan Jama Kadiye died in an incident that generated significant attention and concern. Reports suggest that he was a victim of indiscriminate mortar shelling in the vicinity of Goja Adde. While there have been claims attributing this incident to Somaliland, Somaliland has denied any involvement in these allegations.[35]

The incident has sparked strong emotions among the residents of SSC-Khatumo and the diaspora, who are understandably outraged by the loss of a respected poet and community member. Some individuals within this community have expressed a desire for justice and retribution in response to the incident. They have indicated a potential intent to take revenge on Somaliland, given their suspicions.[36]

On August 25, the SSC administration overran two strongholds of the Somaliland National Army in Maraaga and Goja’adde, capturing numerous weapons and vehicles. A spokesperson for SSC-Khatumo stated that they achieved a significant victory on Friday by capturing all nearby Somaliland military outposts and seizing their war vehicles, weapons, and ammunition stocks.[37] During the battle, General Faisal Abdi Bootan was taken as a Prisoner of War.[38] On the same day, the Somaliland Ministry of Defense released a statement saying, "The National Army is in the midst of reorganization and serious preparation to confront the enemy."[39]