Somalilandsun- The Council of traditional leaders is the highest authority and is the only body that can ratify any agreements that can impact on the existential issues facing the people of the Khatumo State of Somalia including any agreement with Somaliland, Puntland or any other entity.
This is per a statement released by the Khatumo state Somalia Guurti, Council of traditional leaders, immediately upon announcement of reconciliation accords between Somaliland and Khatumo in Hargeisa.
While terming the very essence behind creation of the Khatumo state of Somalia as deterrence against conflict and subsequent suffering of residents in its stronghold of Sool and east Sanaag regions that has seen zero progress for years the council goes to accuse Somaliland government and authorities in Puntland, a Somalia administrative region of exacerbating and sustaining never ending bloodshed as a result of the two’s jurisdictional tug of war.
Read: Somaliland: Khatumo Reconciliation Accord signed in Hargeisa
Although one of the main reasons for the Khatumo State creation was to avoid conflict, Somaliland and Puntland destabilized the area with conflicting claims based on a shared clan of peoples by Puntland, and long-gone common colonial borders by Somaliland. Both claims are in conflict with the expressed wishes of the people of Khatumo to set up their own comparable state and would lead to continued instability and insecurity. This can only be overcome by an autonomous Khatumo Federal State that coexists peacefully with all its neighbors and other political entities in the country.
While the Khatumo “Guurti” welcomes any talks with neighboring administrations that will lead to conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence, such talks should not in any way damage or deter from the Khatumo state founding principles for free, stable and developed Khatumo state in charge of the destiny of its people and territories.
To this effect reads the Khatumo statement
- The people of Khatumo have declared, as is reflected in the Constitution of the Khatumo State of Somalia, their conviction to be self-governing, and commitment to remain an autonomous state of Federal Somalia and calls on the Federal government to support the wishes of the people in these regions to remain an integral part of the Federation.
- Any negotiations with Somaliland should be blessed by the Council of traditional leaders in a state-wide conference that is attended by a representative cross-section of the Khatumo community, and a qualified trustworthy team to be nominated and ratified by the conference.
- After being blessed by the Council of Traditional Leaders, any talks with Somaliland, which occupies Khatumo territories by force, should be held in a neutral location and should be monitored by international observers.
- Any future Somaliland talks should be preceded by tangible and verifiable progress on fundamental issues such as the withdrawal of Somaliland forces from all occupied Khatumo lands (to their locations outside SSC territories), and the creation of an atmosphere conducive to peaceful coexistence by the two peoples in the region.
Click to read full statement titled THE GUURTI OF KHATUMO STATE OF SOMALIA’S POSITION ON TALKS WITH SOMALILAND
