Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre's Las Anod Visit Draws Somaliland Condemnation

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in Las Anod, the administrative capital of the North Eastern State, on 2 August 2026. He was welcomed by local officials, traditional elders and residents, and marked the first anniversary of the administration’s establishment. The delegation announced plans to set up federal public‑service offices in the region to expand essential services and support development.

The government of Somaliland condemned the trip, describing it as a provocative violation of its territorial integrity in the disputed eastern Sool region. In a statement the Somaliland authorities called on the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations and other partners to oppose the visit, warning that such unilateral actions could undermine peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.