MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to visit Las Anod, marking his first trip to the city since taking office on May 15, 2022.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, he will attend the inauguration of Abdulkadir Firdhiye, the newly elected president of Somalia’s North-East State.
The visit was confirmed by Senator Abdullahi Timacadde, deputy speaker of Somalia’s Upper House, in a statement to local media.
Timacadde said the leaders will attend President Firdhiye’s swearing-in, as preparations for their welcome are underway in Las Anod.
He praised the federal government for helping lift the communities of Sool, Sanaag, and Buuhoodle from prolonged insecurity, isolation, and political marginalization.
“Our leaders have fulfilled their duty to uphold Somalia’s unity and establish a formal administration in the contested region,” he said.
Lawmakers from Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn will work together to support and strengthen the new administration, Timacadde added.
He also said efforts are underway to resolve political divisions among federal representatives from these regions and unify their leadership.
Timacadde, once closely aligned with President Said Abdullahi Deni, has since distanced himself due to Deni’s opposition to the new state.
Recently, he joined federal and regional leaders backing the Sool community’s push to establish a locally led administration under their own leadership and vision.
