Northeastern Administration Declares It Will Not Release Somaliland Prisoners Until a Peace Agreement Is Reached

 

October 24, 2025 | Mogadishu

The Northeastern Administration of Somalia has announced that it will not release prisoners from Somaliland forces until a formal peace agreement is reached to end the ongoing conflict in the Sool region. The decision comes amid renewed tensions between the two sides, with no clear progress toward a lasting ceasefire or peace deal.

The Speaker of the Northeastern Parliament, Dr. Aadan Abdullahi, speaking in an interview on Wednesday, said it is not possible to release the detainees while the conflict remains unresolved. “We are not releasing prisoners without cause. Some of them are accused of serious crimes, including involvement in the massacres and displacement of civilians in Las Anod. Justice must take its course before any release is considered,” Dr. Aadan stated.

He added that the administration is ready to release the prisoners only if genuine peace talks begin and Somaliland agrees to a formal peace agreement. “If there are sincere negotiations and an agreement based on mutual respect, we are open to showing flexibility. But as long as Somaliland believes it can seize the territory by force, prisoner exchanges are impossible,” he emphasized.

The Speaker further revealed that the administration had previously released 25 detainees, but it remains unclear what reciprocal action, if any, was taken by Somaliland. He expressed regret that some prisoners have been held for more than three years, accusing the Somaliland authorities of rejecting peace initiatives and dialogue.

The statement comes as reports indicate that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the Northeastern Administration to hand over the Somaliland prisoners to the Federal Government as part of broader efforts to rebuild trust between the parties. The President recently renewed his call for the release of all war prisoners on both sides to strengthen peace and reconciliation efforts in the Sool region.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who visited Las Anod in July this year, played a key role in facilitating the release of 25 Somaliland soldiers who were later handed over to the Hargeisa administration.

The latest announcement from the Northeastern Administration underscores the fragile state of peace in the Sool region, where clashes have displaced thousands and caused significant humanitarian suffering. Civil society groups and community elders have called on both sides to resume peace talks and prioritize reconciliation over continued confrontation.