Lughaya- Ayrotv.com- In recent years, the Somali region has witnessed a troubling escalation of violence and oppression, particularly in Awdal, Salal regions, and Gabiley District. The situation has deteriorated significantly following the genocide in Lascanood from 2018 to 2023, where the SSC Khatoumo people rose against the oppressive regime in Hargeisa to reclaim their rights and territories. Unfortunately, the aftermath of this struggle has seen the ethno-supremacist regime in Hargeisa turn its attention towards the vulnerable populations of Awdal and Salal, perpetuating a cycle of violence and land dispossession.
The regime’s aggressive land-grabbing policies have led to brutal attacks on communities, particularly targeting the residents of Ceel Bardaale and Caada. Recently, tensions escalated dramatically when members of the Isaaq sub-clan of Habar Awal attempted to forcefully displace the Gadaboursi people from their ancestral lands. The Gadaboursi, who have consistently opposed the annexation of their territory by Ethiopia, stand firm in their commitment to the unity of the Somali people. This resistance, however, has made them a target for a regime that seeks to consolidate power and create a façade of legitimacy through territorial expansion.
The violent events of last night serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing atrocities. Armed forces from the so-called “Somaliland,” alongside heavily armed Habar Awal militias, launched an attack on the inhabitants of Lugahaye. The assault resulted in the tragic deaths of 65 individuals, with 11 others, including women and children, suffering injuries. This brutal act is not an isolated incident but rather part of a systematic effort by the ethno-supremacist regime to eradicate the Gadaboursi community from their historic lands.
The complicity of external actors, including the Djibouti regime, which is reportedly fabricating historical narratives to bolster claims over parts of Somalia, only exacerbates the situation. This manipulation aims to further entrench the regime’s hold on power while marginalizing communities that resist their agenda.
In light of these harrowing events, we urgently call upon human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the Somali diaspora, the United Nations, and the African Union, to condemn these atrocities. The actions being perpetrated against the Gadaboursi people may constitute crimes against humanity, warranting immediate international scrutiny and intervention.
Additionally, we implore the federal government of Somalia to act swiftly and provide aid and support to the people of Awdal, Salal regions, and Gabiley District, who are enduring an increasingly dire situation. The armed forces of the Hargeisa regime, bolstered by illegal support from Taiwan and Ethiopia, are employing militarized tactics against defenceless civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The call for solidarity extends to the Gadaboursi people, urging them to join forces with the brave women and young men who are courageously defending their regions against the oppressive regime in Hargeisa and external encroachments from Ethiopia.
The Awdal State Movement stands firm in its condemnation of these acts of violence and oppression. The people of Khatoumo have declared “enough is enough,” and now it is the time for the people of Awdal, Salal regions, and Gabiley District to assert their rights and dignity against this escalating genocide. The eyes of the world must focus on this crisis, demanding accountability and justice for those who have suffered for far too long.
By: PROF. BURAALE XINIIN
