Thursday October 23, 2025
Las Anod (HOL) - The Northeastern Somali regional
administration has said it will release Somaliland army prisoners only after a
peace agreement is reached to end the conflict in the Sool region.
The Speaker of the Northeastern State Parliament, Dr. Aden
Abdullahi, said in an interview on Wednesday that it is not possible to release
the prisoners without a formal agreement regarding the recent clashes between
Somaliland and the Northeastern administration in Las Anod town.
“We are not releasing prisoners without reason. Some of the
prisoners were involved in serious crimes, and it is possible that they will be
brought to justice to be held accountable for the massacre and displacement of
the people of Las Anod,” Dr. Aden said.
He added that if genuine dialogue takes place and Somaliland
agrees to a peace deal, they are ready to release the prisoners.
“But as long as Somaliland believes it can take this land by
force, it is not possible to exchange prisoners,” he stated.
Dr. Aden also said that the administration had already
released 25 prisoners but was not aware of what was exchanged for their
release. He noted that the Northeastern administration was not pleased that
prisoners had been held for three years, blaming Somaliland for refusing to
engage in peace talks.
The statement comes amid reports that Somali President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the Northeastern administration to hand over
Somaliland prisoners to the Federal Government to build trust.
Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, who visited Las Anod in
July this year, helped facilitate the handover of 25 prisoners from the
administration who were members of Somaliland’s forces and were later
transferred to the Somaliland administration.
Recently, President Hassan Sheikh called for the release of
all prisoners held by both sides to strengthen peace and reconciliation efforts
in the region.