By Suleiman Sabdow
HARGEISA – Somaliland government has welcomed the UN Security Council’s statement on the de-escalation of conflict and hostilities in the besieged town of Lascanood.
Through a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Somaliland is ready for the creation of peace, stabilization of the situation in the town and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance t the people in Lascanood city.
The statement added that the Somaliland government is concerned about what they termed as ” misinformation” on the part of UN security council on the general situation in the ground aversing that the Somaliland troops left Lascanood on 26th of February and have maintained defensive on the outskirts of the town.
Immediate Press Release
"The Government of the Republic of Somaliland welcomes the statement from the UN Security Council " @UNSomalia https://t.co/jkQR9ZqJKU— MFA Somaliland (@somalilandmfa) June 8, 2023
Hargeisa articulated the failure by the UNSC to acknowledge the presence of the outlawed Al-Shabab militant group in the disputed Lascanood and Sool region saying that it poses great danger to the peace and stability of not only Somaliland but neighbouring countries like Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The Muse Bixi led administration further detailed that its forces stationed in Sool region are there merely to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Somaliland borders.
The protestation statement from Somaliland comes barely twenty four hours after the UNSC called for cessation of hostilities in hostilities in Lascanood and asked Hargeisa to withdraw its forces from the disputed region.
US Embassy in Mogadishu retreated the UN Security call for an end to Violence in Las Anood and appealed the two parties to reach ceasefire agreement.
We underscore the #UNSC’s call for an end to violence in #Lascanood & appeal to all parties to reach a ceasefire agreement urgently, encourage inclusive dialogue & resolve disputes peacefully. pic.twitter.com/DTWavGqIdN
— U.S. Embassy Mogadishu, Somalia (@US2SOMALIA) June 8, 2023
Heavy confrontation and clashes has been ongoing between Somaliland forces and locals in Lascanood, a city in the northern Somali since February 6 2023.
The clashes have resulted the displacement of thousands of people while scores including mothers became a victim of the conflict.
Sool and Sanaag regions have been disputed territories with both Somaliland and Puntland state claiming its control and ownership
