Saturday April 5, 2025
Local officials in El Afwayn attend a press briefing following Somaliland's announcement of a civilian disarmament campaign, April 5, 2025. The government banned civilians from carrying firearms in the Sanaag region town after recent clan clashes.
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somaliland government has banned civilians from carrying firearms in the town of El Afwayn in the Sanaag region following deadly clashes between rival clans.
The order came after a community reconciliation meeting aimed at defusing long-standing inter-clan tensions. Authorities say the measure is part of a broader effort to restore peace and stability in one of the region’s most volatile areas.
“We’re launching operations this evening,” said Sanaag Governor Ahmed Abdi Muse. “Anyone found with a weapon in El Afwayn will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Armed civilians will no longer be tolerated inside the town.”
Muse also announced that informal militias not yet integrated into the national security structure will be relocated to temporary camps during the demobilization process. He warned that any individual seen wearing military fatigues without official affiliation would be removed from public areas.
The firearms ban is part of a disarmament campaign across Sanaag, including the regional capital, Erigavo. Somaliland’s Vice President, Mohammed Ali Aw Abdi, recently convened a high-level meeting in El Afwayn with traditional leaders, elders, and business figures from Togdheer, Sanaag, Saaxil, and Saraar. Officials say the program will reduce violence and promote long-term coexistence among the region’s diverse communities.
“The Government of Somaliland is unwavering in its commitment to protecting the safety, dignity, and collective future of its people,” said Vice President Aw Abdi during the meeting. “Peace, unity, and national identity are not just guiding principles—they are the foundation upon which our Republic stands.”
While Somaliland has remained more stable than other parts of Somalia, localized clan violence remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas like Sanaag. Officials hope the latest measures will lay the groundwork for lasting peace and integration.