Khatumo State

SSC- Khatumo State (SSC-Khaatumo), officially known as the SSC-Khaatumo Administration  (Maamulka SSC-Khaatumo), is an autonomous administration in Northern Somalia, with its capital in Las Anod. It includes parts of the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions (combined under the acronym "SSC") It is bordered by Puntland to the east, the Somali Region of Ethiopia to the south, Somaliland to the west and the Redsea to the North.

Following the capture of several army positions near Las Anod in August 2023, Khatumo forces effectively expelled Somaliland troops from Dhulbahante territory, securing most of their claimed area and establishing a new front line between the villages of Oog and Guumays in western Sool.

SSC-Khaatumo was acknowledged as an interim administration by the Federal Government of Somalia on 19 October 2023, following its re-establishment on 6 February 2023, as SSC-Khaatumo after a period of mass civil unrest in Las Anod.

Establishment
The SSC movement was established in the first half of 2009. A meeting was held by the Dhulbahante clan to establish a regional government directly under the Federal Republic of Somalia, including residents of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn. In early 2012, the Khaatumo State was established in Taleh, a significant town in the Sool region. This followed a series of events, including the collapse of the SSC movement.

Khatumo is derived from an Arabic term meaning a "positive conclusion." The administration's stated aim was to bring development and stability to the region through the establishment of a locally based government.

The conference in Taleh involved key personalities from the region and the diaspora, with support from local leaders and intellectuals.

After extensive consultations, over 2,300 Dhulbahante clan members gathered in Taleh for a ten-day conference, which concluded with the decision to establish the autonomous Khaatumo State of Somalia.

Split of Khaatumo and dissolution of Ali Khalif group
Within a year of its founding, Khaatumo began to dissolve due to a lack of palpable results and by 2015 the proto state practically ceased to function, with the idea of an autonomous Khaatumo state having lost ground among the Dhulbahante, the clan that inhabits the area, a year after its establishment.

In August 2016, Khatumo State commenced peace talks with Somaliland. The talks, however, caused a major disagreement between the president and vice-president of the administration, Ali Khalif Galaydh and Abdulle Agalule respectively, which eventually produced two separate administrations that both claimed to be the legitimate government. The group led by Ali Khalif reached an agreement with Somaliland, at the town of Aynabo in October 2017, which stipulated that under the condition of changing the constitution of Somaliland, the organization would become integrated within the Somaliland government.

The agreement made by Ali Khalif Galaydh and Silanyo in October 2017 couldn't be implemented because it was rejected by the Isaaq clan and also by Muse Bihi, who won Somaliland's presidency in the November 2017 elections. This marked the end of the Khaatumo State until its reestablishment in 2023 during the 2023 Las Anod conflict.

2023 conflict and establishment of SSC-Khaatumo
On 6 February 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within Somalia. On 19 March, the traditional leaders met with a delegation of MPs from Federal Government of Somalia.

After mass protests continuing from December into January 2023, the retreat of the Somaliland troops paved the way for the return of the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali – a community leader exiled from Las Anod since 2007. Rumor spread of a grand meeting of all Dhulbahante clan elders, followed by speculation that the elders would vote to exile Somaliland security forces from the city. On 6 February 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia. Fighting broke out earlier on the same day in Las Anod between Somaliland troops and Dhulbahante militias in the Sayadka Hill suburb (reportedly home to two committee members), with shots heard in the streets surrounding Hamd Hotel where Somaliland dignitaries were staying.

On 8 February, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, accused the Somaliland government of genocide, called for peace and declared Las Anod's intent to be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia. Within the same week of February, fighting and civilian bombardments had killed at least 82 people in total and displaced 90% of the residents. The region had produced 185,000 internally displaced people and 60,000 refugees in February. On 2 March, the mayor of Las Anod reported that Somaliland forces were bombing public buildings from the surrounding countryside including government institutions and hospitals. The UN also reported a casualty count of over 200 deaths.

A number of fellow Harti-Darod (including Warsangali & Majeerteen) clans local or the diaspora Canada and the United States, Somali diaspora   have announced their support for the Las Anod unionist movement and sent money and  armed militias to the city. The Dhulbahante are receiving money, equipment and fighters from allied Darod-Harti clans in Somalia - the Warsangali and Majeerteen.

On 20 April, Amnesty International released a report concluding a 2-month human rights investigation into the Las Anod conflict. The report called for urgent investigation into the conflict, including interviews from local citizens describing shrapnel and mortar shell deaths. The report also included photos of indiscriminate 107mm rocket shelling from Somaliland security forces – confirming use of weapons banned as part of the current UN Somali arms embargo.

On 7 June, the UN Security Council released a statement reaffirming its full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia. They also stated, "The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Somaliland' security forces and urged all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence, and inflammatory rhetoric. This is in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust, and create the conditions for peace." The following day, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their view that the UNSC "appears to be misinformed about the facts on the ground."

On 11 July, Somaliland troops were reported to have shelled a health facility in Las Anod, destroying 2 ambulances and causing dozens of casualties (including healthcare workers and patients). The World Health Organization published a press release condemning the attack on the facility and the shelling of hospitals. In response, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statement as "disturbing" and claimed that they were fighting clan militias and Al-Shabaab terrorists, to ensure "that those in need have access to these services and other humanitarian assistance".

On 16 August, Somali traditional poet Abwan Jama Kadiye died in an incident that generated significant attention and concern. Reports suggest that he was a victim of indiscriminate mortar shelling in the vicinity of Goja Adde. While there have been claims attributing this incident to Somaliland, Somaliland has denied any involvement in these allegations.

The incident has sparked strong emotions among the residents of SSC-Khatumo and the diaspora, who are understandably outraged by the loss of a respected poet and community member. Some individuals within this community have expressed a desire for justice and retribution in response to the incident. They have indicated a potential intent to take revenge on Somaliland, given their suspicions.

On 25 August, the SSC administration overran two strongholds of the Somaliland National Army in Maraaga and Goja’adde, capturing numerous weapons and vehicles. A spokesperson for SSC-Khatumo stated that they achieved a significant victory on Friday by capturing all nearby Somaliland military outposts and seizing their war vehicles, weapons, and ammunition stocks. During the battle, General Faisal Abdi Bootan was taken as a Prisoner of War. On the same day, the Somaliland Ministry of Defense released a statement saying, "The National Army is in the midst of reorganization and serious preparation to confront the enemy."

Recognition
In accordance with a joint press release, Abdulqadir Firdhiye, the President of the newly formed SSC-Khatumo interim administration, was invited, along with a delegation, to Mogadishu. During a 10-day period, extensive discussions were held on the political, security, and humanitarian situation in the disputed region.

Ultimately, on 19 October 2023, the Federal Government agreed to endorse the statement by traditional elders during their conference in Las Anod on 6 February 2023, which stated that SSC-Khatumo was not under the authorities of Puntland or Somaliland, but under the Federal Government.

Additionally, the Federal Government called on Somaliland authorities and SSC-Khatumo to halt hostilities and release prisoners, expressing readiness to facilitate associated activities.

Government
Khaatumo's government structure comprises a legislative body and an executive body, with ongoing initiatives to establish a judicial body.

The Legislative Assembly Council of the SSC-Khaatumo administration commenced its term on 7 July 2023, with the swearing-in of 45 members. These members were selected by regional Garaads and Sultans on 6 July 2023.

The SSC-Khatumo Legislative Assembly Council assembly convened on 1 August 2023, in Las Anod to select its leadership. Jama Yasin Warsame secured the position of Speaker, garnering 25 votes out of the available 45, while Jama Adan Osman was elected as the Vice Speaker.

Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye) became the President of the SSC-Khatumo Administration on 5 August 2023, receiving 30 out of 45 total votes. Mohamed Abdi Ismail (Shiine) was elected as the Deputy President.

President Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali announced the appointment of cabinet secretaries on 12 September, each nominated secretary underwent a vote of confidence from the SSC-Khaatumo 45-member committee to ensure their alignment with the administration's objectives.

The Legislative Assembly Council unanimously approved the nine cabinet secretaries appointed by the President on 26 September, officially concluding the formation and assembly of both the executive and legislative bodies of the government.

Military
Khatumo maintains its own security forces. Exclusively financed by the state administration, they are tasked with assuring local security and defending the region's borders. According to Khatumo President Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, the forces are well trained and armed.

Khatumo troops have been deployed in defense positions in Guumays area against Somaliland troops in Oog and other border towns within Khatumo-Somaliland border.

On 11 February 2024, President Firdhiye appointed General Saleban Barre Hasan to be the head of Khatumo military forces, with Mohamed Saleban Cabbi serving as the official spokesman.