Las Anod — Mogadishu Asserts Federal Authority in a High-Risk Confrontation with Somaliland

An Unprecedented Presidential Move

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Las Anod, (also spelled Laascaanood is a major town in northern Somalia and the administrative capital of the Sool region), marks the first time in more than four decades that a Somali head of state has set foot in the city. The move is politically deliberate and strategically charged: it represents a direct assertion of federal authority in a territory at the heart of the long-running dispute with Somaliland.

Beyond symbolism, the visit elevates Las Anod from a contested periphery to a focal point of Somalia’s state-building project—at a moment when regional alignments and diplomatic signals have become more volatile.

Territorial Unity as State Doctrine

Mogadishu frames the visit as a reaffirmation of Somalia’s territorial integrity. By attending the inauguration of the leadership of the newly recognized North-Eastern Federal State—often referred to as SSC-Khatumo—the presidency formally anchors the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn within the federal architecture. This step effectively institutionalizes the outcome of local political realignments that began in 2023 and positions Las Anod as an administrative centre aligned with the federal government.

For Mogadishu, presence equals sovereignty. The act of governing—appointments, inaugurations, and presidential visibility—serves as a counterweight to diplomatic claims made from afar.

Diplomatic Shockwaves and the Recognition Question

Timing is critical. The visit follows a series of regional diplomatic developments that Mogadishu interprets as existential challenges. The most consequential was the late-2025 recognition of Somaliland by Israel, a move Somalia views as a direct affront to its sovereignty. Against this backdrop, the Las Anod visit reads as a calibrated response: a message that international endorsements do not supersede control on the ground.

By appearing in a city claimed by Somaliland, the Somali presidency underscores a core principle of statecraft in contested spaces: legitimacy is reinforced through administration and presence, not declarations alone.

A City Shaped by Conflict

Las Anod’s recent history explains the stakes. The city witnessed intense fighting in 2023 after a popular uprising ended Somaliland’s control, which had been in place since 2007. Local militias aligned with the SSC-Khatumo movement fought to rejoin the Somali federation, leading to protracted clashes and significant casualties.

The presidential visit consolidates that rupture. It confers national legitimacy on the post-2023 political order and strengthens the hand of pro-Mogadishu authorities in a zone that remains militarily and socially sensitive.

Hargeisa’s Rebuttal and Escalatory Rhetoric

The response from Hargeisa was swift and uncompromising. Senior Somaliland officials reiterated that Las Anod remains an inseparable part of Somaliland territory, dismissing the visit as provocation and urging Mogadishu to focus on its internal challenges. Somaliland’s leadership argues that its growing international recognition renders such moves irrelevant.

This exchange sharpens an already polarized environment. Mogadishu’s demonstration of authority collides with Somaliland’s diplomatic strategy, leaving Sool as the pivot of a contest that is increasingly political, symbolic, and potentially destabilizing.

Strategic Assessment

Las Anod has become more than a city—it is a test case for competing visions of Somali sovereignty. Mogadishu is betting that institutionalization and presence can offset diplomatic setbacks. Hargeisa is betting that external recognition can outpace realities on the ground.

The immediate risk is escalation through miscalculation, particularly in a region with fresh memories of violence. The longer-term implication is clearer: without a negotiated framework, territorial disputes in northern Somalia will continue to be managed through symbolic acts and counter-claims—raising the stakes with each move.

Bottom line: The visit hardens positions on both sides. Las Anod now sits at the centre of a high-risk political chessboard where presence, recognition, and control are being tested simultaneously.