Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The UK and US governments have voiced their concern over the recent violence in Lasanod, a city in the Sool region of northern Somalia, where the military of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has been accused of killing several protesters in the past few days.
The Somaliland military has reportedly killed at least 20 civilians, all of whom were women, young men, and elderly.
In a statement, the US embassy in Mogadishu called for calm, stating that “peace and the rule of law must prevail over violence against civilians and destruction of property.”
The UK ambassador to Somalia, Kate Foster, also expressed her concern over the situation, urging all sides to de-escalate and seek a peaceful resolution.
“We are concerned by recent events in Las Anod resulting in death and injury of civilians. We urge all sides to de-escalate, avoid further casualties, and resolve the matter peacefully,” said the UK ambassador.
On Friday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia called for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Lasanod.
He emphasized the importance of stability, peace, and harmony among the Somali people, stating that the Federal Government highly values fraternity and coexistence.
The protest in Lasanod was sparked by unknown assailants’ killing of a local politician. The military responded by firing on the crowd, killing several people, and injuring many more. The incident has caused outrage among the local population, and there have been calls for the military to be held accountable for its actions.
Somaliland, a region located northwest of Somalia, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized as an independent country by the international community.
Despite this, the region has its own government, parliament, and constitution and a long self-governance history. However, it is not a member of the United Nations.
