On November 22, 2023, an open event about the conflict in Las Anod (Somali: Laascaanood) was organized, where Somalia experts, authors, and politicians discussed the situation in northern Somalia and the conflict. Las Anod (Somali: Laascaanood) is a strategically important city in northern Somalia and the capital of the Sool region. With an estimated population of over 300,000 inhabitants (2025), it is one of the largest cities in the Sool, Sanaag & Cayn regions. Las Anod has long been a vital hub for trade and transportation in northern Somalia, thanks to its unique location at the mouth of the Nugaal Valley. The city is also a crucial trade route for livestock exports in northern Somalia, owing to its strategic position near the Ethiopian border and its role as a central hub for nomadic pastoralists from the SSC regions.
On February 6, 2022, violent clashes erupted in the city, resulting in more than 185,000 people being forced to flee their homes, 89 percent of whom were women and children. You can read more about the conflict on our information page here.
The evening was intended to provide an important platform for Swedish-Somalis particularly those with roots in northern Somalia (Sool, Sanaag, Cayn/SSC region) to discuss the conflict and foster a sense of community and agency for those feeling helpless about the situation. For many, this conflict is not just a news story but a personal issue that directly affects relatives, friends, and others still living in Somalia. By getting involved, Swedish-Somalis can play a key role in promoting peace and development in Las Anod.
The Vice-Chairman of SSC-Khatumo delivered a keynote address addressing the aftermath of the ongoing conflict, providing an in-depth analysis of the current situation with a focus on its humanitarian and political dimensions. He underscored the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, including mass displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and urgent needs for medical and food aid. He introduced SSC-Khatumo as a newly established and fully legitimate governing authority in the region, entrusted with the mandate to reestablish law and order.
Politically, he emphasized the struggle for self-determination, regional stability, and the challenges posed by competing territorial claims. His remarks called for immediate international intervention to alleviate suffering and support a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
Professor Dr. Markus V. Hoehne, a distinguished scholar in social anthropology and conflict studies at Leipzig University, has dedicated a significant part of his academic career to studying Somalia, with particular focus on the northern part of the country – including the federal member states, SSC-Khatumo, Somaliland, and Puntland. His work highlights the complex political and social dynamics that characterize the region, where historical divisions, clan-based power struggles, and competing visions of statehood continually collide.
Hoehne emphasizes that the conflict in Las Anod is not merely about a local power struggle but also represents an ideological battle between two opposing visions for the region. His research demonstrates that the Las Anod conflict cannot be understood without considering history, clan identities, and colonial border demarcations. It illustrates the ongoing struggle between secessionist and unionist forces in northern Somalia – a conflict that will shape the region’s future for a long time to come.
Journalist and author Kerstin Lundell gives a lecture about her 2014 journey to the Sool region, where she continues to investigate the oil industry. Her travels took her to the Holhol area on the outskirts of Las Anod, where Lundin-affiliated Africa Oil and Norwegian DNO International have signed agreements with unrecognized regimes in northern Somalia for the same oil fields in Holhol. She discussed how this has contributed to tensions in the region, including the bloody clashes in April 2007 when the area was seized by Somaliland.
Hashim Mohamed Jama, an elected municipal and regional politician for the Left Party, has raised the escalating situation in Las Anod and is calling for clear action from the Swedish government. In a written question to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (Moderate Party), the Left Party submits an inquiry about how the minister and the Swedish government intend to act within the international community to promote peaceful development and an end to the ongoing fighting in Las Anod.
Jama emphasizes the need for Sweden, as an actor in international diplomacy and human rights, to take a clear stance against the dehumanization and violence targeting civilians in Las Anod. The Left Party is also calling for open dialogue between the warring parties and a long-term strategy to promote stability in the region.
Dr. Mohamed Husein Gaas, a prominent political scientist and Director of the RAAD Peace Research Institute, provided expert analysis on SSC-Khatumo’s emergence as Somalia’s new interim federal member state.
In his comprehensive presentation, he examined three critical dimensions:
Dr. Gaas emphasized that SSC-Khatumo’s establishment represents both an opportunity for stabilizing the volatile northern regions and a test case for Somalia’s evolving federalism. His research-based insights drew from extensive fieldwork in the Horn of Africa, offering valuable policy recommendations for both Somali authorities and international partners.
The information evening on the conflict in Las Anod featured a broad and substantive discussion about the situation in northern Somalia, with contributions from experts, journalists, and politicians. Through various perspectives, the causes, consequences, and possible solutions to the conflict were highlighted. The event served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and dialogue, particularly aimed at Swedish-Somalis with ties to the region. The discussions during the evening emphasized the importance of continued attention and international engagement to address the challenges and situation in Las Anod and the wider SSC region.
Thank you to all participants who made this evening possible. Together, we can be part of the change.
