North East State Declared; Security Mobilized in Las Anod

19 Jan 2026 — 2 min read

Somalia Brief: North East State Inauguration and Security Updates

Overview: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud presided over the inauguration in Las Anod that installed President Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw-Ali and Vice President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril, declared Las Anod “the city of Somali unity,” and announced the North East State as a full federal member state of Somalia. The Prime Minister and traditional leaders also held meetings around the event.
Why it matters: The federal declaration and high-level meetings set the framework for federal assistance on security, reconstruction and governance in the North East and include a public appeal to the Hargeisa administration to halt hostilities.
Sources: Primary: President declares Las Anod “City of Unity” and presides over inauguration; also from President declares North East State a full federal member state and Prime Minister Hamza meets traditional elders in Laascanood.

Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirrow attended a UNTMIS-organized experience-sharing workshop for members of both parliamentary chambers focusing on electoral systems and modern democratic procedures — (SONNA).

The Somali National Army foiled an Al-Shabaab attack in the Jabad Godane area of Middle Shabelle, reported to have regained full control and launched a large-scale clearance operation to remove remaining militants — (SONNA).

The National Security Advisor met Norway’s Special Representative and Chargé d’Affaires in Mogadishu to discuss mutual interests and bilateral ties — (SONNA).
The Chinese Embassy formally congratulated Somalia on the successful inauguration of the Northeastern State president, expressing support for Somalia’s state-building process — (SONNA).
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on re-election and reaffirmed bilateral ties — (SONNA).

A demonstration in Mogadishu’s Wadajir District protested what participants described as Israeli violations of Somalia’s sovereignty; the protest included local residents, government officials and various sector representatives — (SONNA).

Thousands of residents and dignitaries attended the Las Anod inauguration where the President spoke of reconciliation, federal support, and invited international partners and the diaspora to invest in the North East — (SONNA).
Traditional elders from Puntland, Jubbaland, the Somali Regional State and North Eastern Somalia met the Prime Minister in Laascanood and were thanked for mediation and peacebuilding roles — (SONNA).
Protesters in Wadajir voiced opposition to foreign actions they said undermined Somalia’s territorial integrity; participants vowed to defend unity — (SONNA).
After repelling the attack in Middle Shabelle the SNA said it inflicted heavy losses on militants and is conducting clearance and security measures to protect local communities — (SONNA).

Federal follow-up in the North East: look for details on the promised federal support for security, reconstruction, prisoner releases and trade-route restoration referenced in the inauguration address — (SONNA).
Response from Hargeisa to the President’s call for cessation of hostilities and diplomatic outreach to the Somaliland administration — (SONNA).
Security updates from the SNA’s large-scale operation in Middle Shabelle and any further actions against Al-Shabaab in Jabad Godane — (SONNA).
Parliamentary follow-up after the UNTMIS workshop: whether lawmakers move toward concrete electoral reforms or recommendations discussed during the sessions — (SONNA).

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.