Somaliland has condemned an announcement by Somalia’s federal government that it would work closely with a self-appointed administration in disputed regions.
The self-declared republic said Somalia’s decision to work with Sool, Sanaag and Ayn regions (SSC-Khatumo) was a “deliberate attack on Somaliland’s statehood and territorial integrity”.
In a statement on Thursday, Somalia’s interior ministry said it welcomed the formation of the SSC-Khatumo administration.
It did not say Mogadishu was officially recognising SSC-Khatumo as an autonomous regional state.
Somaliland, however, accused the Somali government of formally recognising a “clan militia’s authority over Las Anod”, the capital of Sool region.
“The government of Somaliland firmly asserts that neither Somalia nor the clan militia have jurisdiction or claim over Las Anod,” it added.
Somaliland’s military and an SSC-Khatumo militia allied to the federal government in Mogadishu have been battling for control of Las Anod since February.
Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991 and has since been unsuccessfully seeking international recognition.