FGS confirms release of 25 Somaliland prisoners by SSC-Khaatumo

The Federal Government of Somalia on Tuesday announced that 25 prisoners of war held by the SSC-Khaatumo administration will be released and handed over to Somaliland in a gesture described as being based on humanitarian grounds.

The announcement followed Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s three-day visit to Las Anod, the administrative seat of SSC-Khaatumo. In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the federal government would facilitate the prisoner release process.

SSC-Khaatumo authorities confirmed the development, saying the initial group of 25 detainees were selected due to “special circumstances,” including health and humanitarian considerations.

“These individuals are being released on humanitarian grounds,” said the Justice Minister of SSC-Khaatumo.

The prisoners were captured during the fierce fighting in Las Anod in February 2023, when local forces in SSC-Khaatumo clashed with troops from the breakaway Somaliland administration.

The Prime Minister’s Office also stated that SSC-Khaatumo’s federal status will be incorporated into Somalia’s provisional constitution and that the region has officially joined the National Consultative Council (NCC), a key platform for intergovernmental dialogue and decision-making.

Prime Minister Barre returned to Mogadishu on Tuesday after what officials described as a historic visit aimed at consolidating national unity and federalism.

The Somaliland administration, which opposes the presence of federal officials in the region, has yet to comment on the announced prisoner exchange or confirm whether it will reciprocate by releasing detainees held under its custody.

SSC-Khaatumo was formally recognised by the Somali government in 2023 as an interim federal administration following a months-long armed uprising against Somaliland’s control. The recent developments are seen by many as a significant step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its federal structure and national cohesion.