Thursday January 2, 2025
Warsangeli clan leaders address the public during a conference in El Buh, Sanaag region, discussing resolutions for unity, defense, and humanitarian appeals amidst escalating tensions in Erigavo. SUPPLIED
Mogadishu (HOL) — As violence and displacement surge in Erigavo, the Warsangeli clan gathered in El Buh to issue a rallying call for unity and self-defence.
The conference, led by Sultan Said Sultan Abdulsalan, convened elders, intellectuals, and diaspora representatives to confront the violence gripping Sanaag's contested heartland. The message was clear: the Warsangeli must protect their people and their lands, no matter the cost.
"We will stand united in defence of our lives and our future," declared the Sultan, his words resonating across a region still haunted by decades of conflict.
The seven resolutions adopted at the meeting left no ambiguity. The clan committed to defending its people and properties, particularly in Erigavo, where violence has reached a fever pitch. A 35-member committee was tasked with overseeing the implementation of these measures.
Erigavo, the capital of the Sanaag region, has long been a battleground for clashing clans and political rivalries. The collapse of Somalia's central government in 1991 unleashed waves of conflict, followed by a fragile peace accord in 1993. Yet, as the November 2024 attacks demonstrated, these agreements remain tenuous at best.
In those weeks, coordinated assaults destroyed homes, displaced families, and claimed lives. Warsangeli leaders squarely blame Somaliland authorities and their allied militias, accusing them of targeting specific clans in a bid to solidify control over the disputed region.
However, Somaliland has defended its actions in the Sanaag region. The Ministry of Internal Security praised the Somaliland National Army for their efforts to maintain order in Erigavo, describing their actions as necessary to protect the region's sovereignty and ensure the safety of all residents. In a statement, the government emphasized its commitment to protecting all citizens of the Sanaag region and urged unity among Somalilanders to safeguard the nation's stability.
Additionally, following the November clashes, Somaliland imposed a curfew in Erigavo to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence. The government called on humanitarian organizations to assist displaced families, reiterating its claim to be addressing the needs of all affected communities in the region.
The human toll has been devastating. Thousands have fled their homes, seeking refuge in unforgiving conditions. The conference issued an urgent plea to international humanitarian organizations for assistance. Somalia's federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation has called for an immediate end to the hostilities between Somaliland forces and SSC-Khatumo in Erigavo
"Our displaced families face hunger, illness, and the cold indifference of exile. We call on the world to help," said one elder.
The Warsangeli leadership announced plans for a larger assembly in El Buh on February 15, 2025.
"We will not break," Sultan Abdulsalan vowed. "We will protect our people and secure our future, no matter what lies ahead."