Vol 65 No 2 | ETHIOPIASOMALIASOMALILAND Why Abiy and Muse signed a 'memorandum of misunderstanding' 15th January 2024 A hasty deal offering recognition of Somaliland's sovereignty and a port for Ethiopia has angered the region By announcing a trade-off on New Year's Day – putative recognition of Somaliland's 'independence' in exchange for access to the Gulf of Aden – Ethiopia's Prime Minister...
Vol 64 No 19 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Muse Bihi's political headaches worsen 21st September 2023 After failing to conquer Dhulbahante rebels in Las Anod, which led to conflict within the Isaq clan, the President needs to repair the splits President Muse Bihi Abdi is adding political problems to the military reverses he has suffered in his ill-judged confrontation with the Dhulbahante clan over Las Anod. That’s...
Vol 64 No 8 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Risks of Las Anod lull 13th April 2023 The crisis in Las Anod has entered its fourth month with a bigger cast of actors than before but with prospects for resolution still uncertain. International pressure on President ...
Vol 64 No 6 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Uneasy peace at Las Anod 16th March 2023 Addis has persuaded Hargeisa to ease its artillery barrages on the town, but Somaliland's president remains determined to crush his opponents Oblivious to the concerns of western countries and interested neighbours, President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland has now listened to envoys of Ethiopia and called off the all-out a...
Vol 64 No 5 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Las Anod still under fire 2nd March 2023 Despite appeals for calm and for negotiations with the elders of Las Anod, Hargeisa's forces continue to shell the town with heavy and light artillery, and fire from tanks. The gov...
Vol 64 No 4 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Hargeisa's bloody own goal 16th February 2023 Somaliland's military assault on Las Anod looks like an over-reaction by the state government and could scupper its independence ambitions After Hargeisa's security forces reacted to peaceful protests in Las Anod in December and January by shooting marchers dead, some thought the situation would calm – but the o...
Vol 64 No 3 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Clashes damage recognition campaign 2nd February 2023 The security force shootings in Las Anod have highlighted the grievances of Somaliland residents who don't want independence for the statelet The security force shootings in Las Anod at the turn of the year are having major repercussions in the region, including on the disputed Sool region and on Hargeisa's long-running ...
DISPATCHES Vol 64 No 2 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Washington's K-Street lobbyists take on Hargeisa 17th January 2023 Worried by Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi's bid to get the US to recognise his government as independent from Somalia, some clan leaders have hired advisors The political and diplomatic battle between the federal government of Somalia and Somaliland has been given an unusual twist. Washington lobbyists, Von Batten-Montague-York, led by... READ FOR FREE
Vol 63 No 23 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Closing down the opposition 17th November 2022 President Muse Bihi Abdi looks to be succeeding in his campaign to neutralise the opposition and consolidate the extension of his own presidential term by two years, regardless of ...
Vol 63 No 8 | SOMALIASOMALILAND Washington eyes a base at Berbera 12th April 2022 Intensifying competition between the US, Russia, China and the Gulf states boosts the strategic importance of Somaliland's port Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi's trip to Washington DC last month may not have resulted in an exchange of ambassadors, but it looks as though the statelet will achieve de fact...