HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has ordered the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Borama, following day-long protests that turned violent and left more than 10 civilians dead.
The unrest began on Thursday night when demonstrators gathered in Borama’s city centre to oppose a planned ceremony in Sayla’ for the public unveiling of the Xeer Ciise – a customary law book linked to the Eisa clan. Many residents of Borama, predominantly from the Gadabursi community, viewed the move as an attempt to assert territorial claims in parts of Awdal region.
Police attempts to disperse the crowd escalated tensions, and the protests continued into Friday. Somaliland authorities deployed large columns of military personnel and armoured vehicles in an effort to restore order. Instead, the clashes intensified, leading to multiple casualties and dozens of injuries.
In a televised statement on Friday evening, President Irro described the violence as “tragic and avoidable,” saying the loss of life could have been prevented through early dialogue.
“If the minds of all people had been brought together, such bloodshed could have been averted,” he said.
The president ordered all military units to retreat to their barracks and urged business leaders, clan elders, and regional intellectuals to move swiftly to calm tensions and work toward a negotiated solution.
Irro also announced that an independent investigation would be launched to determine responsibility for the violence, promising that perpetrators – whether officials or civilians – would be held to account.
Seeking to reassure residents of Borama, he stressed that no community’s land could be seized by another, dismissing fears that the Xeer Ciise publication could be used to support territorial claims by the Eisa clan.
The motives behind the controversial customary law book’s public unveiling remain unclear, as does the government’s rationale for approving the ceremony despite its potential to inflame clan sensitivities in the region.
The situation in Awdal remains tense, but local leaders have begun consultations aimed at preventing further unrest.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
