SOMALILAND-PUNTLAND | A Somali Clan Conflict?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Although the severe fighting around Las Anod has received almost no international attention, this conflict is becoming a major crisis in the Horn of Africa. Already, it has seen hundreds killed and over 200,000 people flee their homes. But it raises lots of tough questions. Should the contested area remain a part of Somaliland? Or should it be part of Somalia? And, if it is allowed to break away from Somaliland, should it do so as Khatumo State, or should it be incorporated into Puntland? Do let me know your thoughts and comments below.

[@mesamies123]

Thank you, Professor, for bringing your intellect and analysis to this situation and to the attention of those of us grossly ignorant of it. Furthermore, thank you for your attention to all places in the world.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

I do support Somaliland being an independent nation but regarding the eastern parts of Somaliland, I don’t know. I can see an argument for both sides and I probably would need a lot more information before I feel comfortable with having an opinion on that. This is indeed a very complex issue and you do a great job of finding these very complex issues.

[@theconqueringram5295]

Yeah, this is a big problem for the conflict. Where do we go from here? What is to be the fate of this territory? Honestly, I don't know, there's a lot going on here.

[@sheekhcabdiraxmaancumar6937]

It is fake and it is not true that number who fled from lasanod because the residents were 80000. This war is behind terrorist groups those are fighting in lasanod. So somaliland must defeat this extremist groups in there

[@sheekhcabdiraxmaancumar6937]

There other clans who are not dulbahante in the region of lasanod so it is not possible that lasnod region will be a state of be part of puntland. This trial is not first time that they try. All in all this will fail and it will be part of somaliland as usual and as geographically because the boundry

[@kerekse150]

The last sentence is deeply painful and still tells the true situation of Somalis people, at the same time: ''Sometimes, communities otherwise united by a single language, culture, and religion can still wish to be apart.''

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Indeed. It is certainly a strange situation. But this is a case of how a past (colonial) history can create a very different political outlook between peoples who otherwise have everything in common.

[@MW-sh1ui]

@@JamesKerLindsay You more or less hit the nail on the head with this video. The sole reason for this situation is because of resentment for Darood clan. That is the reason why Somaliland want to break Somalia and claim non existent colonial line between the Harti clan. The south is dominated by the Hawiye and they also have similar resentment for Darood. Thus they have an illicit coalition with the Isaaq clan called Irir Samaale - the reason for this is to try weaken and team up against Daarod. They want to dominate Darood in the north with Somaliland and weaken Darood in the North East and the rest of Somalia so their influence on the country is minimised. The sole reason that Somalis want to be apart is (Qabyaalad) Clan feud. Puntland realised this in the early 90s and eventually formed Puntland in 1998 to counter the attempts of the Irir Samaale coalition. Puntland recognised the fractured nature of the country and made Somalia Federal, so that each region could run their local affairs to avoid the darkness of the civil war where centralism failed. Puntland offered a resolution for all clans to run their local affairs and also work together but this has been undermined ever since. It’s now time to move towards Confederation to give more power to the people in their local regions whilst maintaining unity. This will prevent the misuse of power in Mogadishu. It will also allow equal power sharing for everyone.

[@nasrin1930]

It is sad but with somaliand is a clan separation in which lead to this destructive mentality we’re they wish to control others clan

[@blackdignitymedia3172]

A clan speaks to a common ancestor of sorts. ZERO common ancestors. Somali is not a bloodline but many different bloodlines with vastly different gene pools. We are not lying to the children anymore.@@nasrin1930

[@theONE-ws8lh]

It sucks that this has happened and it just goes to show how low IQ our people are or should I say how prideful they are, the Isaaq clan started everything when they complained about being a junior partner but this could also be on the leaders in Mogadishu in not coming to an agreement with the the north they should’ve let them be and autonomous state within Somalia. When I look at Britain I wonder how they were able to form their union, was it just the military might England had over Scotland? Or was Scotland able to realize it was the junior partner and that being United would lead to greater success? Im not really sure but I do feel Britain has something to do with Somaliland’s secession simply because they have kept the same name and same borders during the colonial era.

[@bigmos82]

Very balanced assessment 👏. Very complex issue . One point I would add is the fact that tribal element is at the heart of why the doolbahante of Darod clan don't want to be part of somaliland, there is a deep sense of suspicions and hatred between Issack (main clan in somaliland) and Darod. Another point is that fact that somali sociaty as a whole is highly equalitarian would not accept easily an authority from a different clan or even sub-clan. Often , authorities struggle to strike right that delicate balance between clan based tribalism and attempt to bring democracy. Everywhere in somalia including djibouti democracy is a thin layer on top of a very complex clans structure.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately, I couldn't delve too deeply into the precise disputes between the clans. But hopefully, I gave a good introductory overview of the situation. It really isn't easy to piece it all together. But the more videos I do on the region, the more fascinating I find it!

[@bigmos82]

@@JamesKerLindsay keep an eye on it , the situation is very dynamic and changing all the time . There is a lot of regional players involved behind the scenes. I'm following it closely as this is a very dangerous time for the whole region.

[@simdachi]

Unfortunately the Dulbahante were all members NSS(Somalian gestapo). They were forgiven but still don't trust those they supresed

[@KaKa-hz3du]

@@simdachi Minister of Interior and Chief of Army in Somaliland both in the army of Siyaad Barre killing people in Mudug and Nugaal. They got forgiven after returning to SNM in 1991.

[@mua2]

@@simdachi unfortunately Isaaq are all gaal raac Somali diid, of course us Harti don’t want to be part of that.

[@Land_of_Punt]

What a shame all this is happening in the month of Ramadan, Subhanallah. May god have mercy on the Somali people and help them unite InshaAllah. ☝🏾🇸🇴✊🏾

[@blackdignitymedia3172]

Somali is a language, not a people. Stop misinforming others.

[@Land_of_Punt]

@@blackdignitymedia3172 you should take your own advice mate. Somali is a language and a tribe. They live all over the Horn of Africa from Djibouti all the way down to NFD in Kenya. They are related to other Cushitic tribes in the horn such as the Oromos, Afars, Sahos, Rendilles, etc. Go Google this and see who’s misinforming people.

[@Bell_plejdo568p]

@@Land_of_Punt this video is filled with so much misinformation and ur right

[@Halgame99]

@@blackdignitymedia3172 Somali is an ethnic name! Our language is called Af-Somali just like English people and the language English! Educate yourself before speaking

[@blackdignitymedia3172]

Misery loves company. The worst comparison is the world: Not everyone who speaks English is an English person. Maybe you should get an education. Somali is only a language and nothing more. The language itself is part of the Ethiopian civilization's set of languages, this language branched off of AfanOromo. Somali has never been an Ethnic. Many very different ethnicities speak the Somali language. No comfort for liars. @@Halgame99

[@mohameda7585]

This is on point, I have never seen a non Somali owned documentary or media be so well informed in the current conflict.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. It really wasn't easy trying to put it together. There are a lot of complex elements to the situation. And there is little information available. I hoped I explained it fairly and accurately.

[@yahyaelmi8435]

@@JamesKerLindsay the reality is this problem is between khatumo and somaliland . The khatumo regime decided to go under the federal administration in mogdhishu and burn bridge with both puntland and somaliland . As a result somaliland attacked lascano. The federal republic of Somalia give the rights for any Somali region to join under the federal government if they can’t find peace with other federal member states . The people of khatumo for years have been under brutal leadership of puntland and somaliland . And as a result their main elder garaad jamac decided that the best bet is to remain self governd and independent from both puntland and Somaliand

[@yunishajjz]

​@@yahyaelmi8435 well said brother 🙌 4:21.

[@PATIENT_KING]

@@JamesKerLindsay YOU NAILED IT LIKE A REAL PRO PROFESSOR!!! KEEP UP THE SOLID WORK AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE AMATEURS IN HIDE OUTS!!!

[@mohameda7585]

​​@@yahyaelmi8435 yahya that is our hope, for a khatumo state to be formed in the region, but as of now, this region is represented in the federal system as part of puntland even though it was partially under Somaliland control.

[@dahabilyrics]

LAASCAANOOD IS KHAATUMO STATE OF SOMALIA IT'S HAS THEIR OWN FALAG 🇸🇴🐎🇸🇴🐎🇸🇴THANK YOU

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. It does indeed.

[@Dreamchasermycade]

As some one from the region I was really impressed by your deep and extensive knowledge of the dynamics and history of this conflict, your unbiased Attitude is also something I was not expecting . You are an excellent professor .

[@mangistuababe9895]

Its biased information, why doesn't talk about that African countries civil wars, poverty, diseases and under development are all driving from his colonial powers. Parasites kill it's hostage without knowing it.

[@FaadumoCulbe-fe2pw]

😢 soobe liqey waN iska celibeyn

[@FaadumoCulbe-fe2pw]

😂😂😂

[@FaadumoCulbe-fe2pw]

😢e😂

[@tiagogomes3807]

As someone who knew very little of that region. Do people on the ground know why they are killing eachother? There were so many twists and so many leader to exchange their people for a position in a government, i'm not sure people can keep up.

[@yussufomar2262]

Yes the problem is Issaq or Iidoor clan,they want to free from Somali but other clans want to be free from Somali land so Iidoor clan can not force other clans to stay with Somali land

[@hanz_60]

Stop acting like you people don’t drag Isaac. Even if Isaac were the only clan wanting separation, you guys will still go after us.

[@faarjano2430]

Iam from Somalia u made easy for everyone to understand about the confusion tnks

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it! It certainly wasn't easy trying to pick apart the situation and make it as clear as I could. I hope I generally did a good job. I know that a lot of viewers will challenge particular bits of the video, especially the clan sizes, but there is a lot of information that is out of date and inaccurate. But overall, I hope it explains things.

[@mahadwawenka1893]

As a Somali I am highly impressed about your research in this topic and how you even know the names of every clan in somalia. Highly informative and well explained the truth about the fighting in las'anod region. Thank you for showing the world the least known event going on in every corner of the world .

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. I find the region so incredibly interesting. And this is such a tragic and sad situation. I really hope that calm can be restored very soon. And it really should be getting more coverage. On a lighter note, I just hope I didn't butcher the names too badly. I watched a lot of Somali KZbin videos to try to get them right! :-)

[@XY-kx6cy]

You are still missing a lot talk to people from different groups and see what comes up

[@Abshir1it1is]

@@JamesKerLindsay -- It was a great attempt! Honestly, I would just say that Hawiye and Cayn were most glaring. The 'e' isn't silent. It's Ha-wee-yeh (or Ha-wee-yah, pronunciation differs). As for the 'c' in Cayn, I would skip it entirely. Ironically, you'd be closer to getting it accurate by treating it as a silent letter than by pronouncing it as an English 'c' (k or s sound, both are wrong). In Somali writing, the letter 'c' represents the Arabic 'ayn, which is to say, the sound is utterly alien to the English language.

[@aminali9371]

The people of lassdanood City have been attacked with big mortars large-calibre artillery. Were the schools Hospitals residential areas has been destroyed missiles were striking hospitals including mosques during live broadcasting on the social media platform. The sool region populations are not affiliate militias or terrorist groups.

[@aminali9371]

In fact, there were victims of planning associations during the last 15 years of occupation under the somaliland troops.

[@somsupenterprises9112]

Somaliland did not exist before British colonial time. The colonial powers divided Somalia into many parts. After the independence Somalia unified again under one flag - the blue flag with the white star in the middle. A clan which is majority in Somaliland decided to break away from Somalia, even though Somalia was always one country. However, there are other clans who want to stay in Somalia. Now the bigger clan in Somaliland wants to force the rest of Somali clans in Somaliland to live under their rule even though they never voted to be part of Somaliland. Dhulbahante clan doesn't want to be part of Somaliland, but the Somaliland regime wants to force them to stay under their rule. That is what is driving the conflict in short.

[@FarahAbdul]

There was no country called Somalia before the British Italians French came so who are you trying to fuul in matter of fact there was no such borders in Africa.😂😂😊

[@maxameddaabadsomalilanderd3640]

Somaliland was exist before british you are ignorant who dont know his history CAN YOU KNOW THE LAND OF GODS THE ADAL EMPIRE AND THE GREAT WEALTHY PEOPLE BEFORE 5000YRS SEARCH THE HISTORY

[@simdachi]

Irredentism is dead. AfricanUnion recognizes colonial borders

[@حمزةسجلا]

@@simdachi If the African Union recognizes your colonial borders, what is the recognition you have been looking for for thirty years? Why can you not enter any country of the African Union with a Somaliland passport and go to get a Somali passport? From the city of Growe

[@Rafael99923]

@@FarahAbdul exactly so clan borders at the only official borders. Secessionist should understand if they want to divide Somalia up by clans we will do the same. Qaranka nonsense won’t work. SSC,Awdal and we will even try divide isaaqs up by giving Garhajis a state. Somalia will always be one.

[@MrSandyBruce]

Damn this actually made me sad. As complex as this issue is any suggestion to bring peace would sound like "I can wave a magic wand." Feel bad for the people that just want to live. Prosper and raise a family in peace. As always outstanding job of explaining a really really tough topic.

[@saleebanabdi4406]

Please share this story on your socials, we need help

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks, Sandy. You are absolutely right. It is incredibly sad. Lots of lives ruined. Let’s hope peace can come to the area soon.

[@mrpirate3020]

@@saleebanabdi4406 😂😂😂😂😂😂You cracked separatists shame on you loser .

[@siciidfindhe7457]

I am from sanaag region The major people live in Sool sanaag And cayn want to be a apart in somalia and The international community must confront This reality we want somalia. And we will be somalis as long us we breathing

[@rodag7831]

This is not true. Ceerigaabo, Mayd and Xiis are Isaaq clan. Also, Caynabo is an Isaaq clan. This is the problem with what the Darood clan are trying to do which is causing the issues. Infact, Warsengali came to Somaliland from Hoobyo due to war with Sultanate Majeertania who expelled Warsengali into Somaliland.

[@shukriiii]

@@rodag7831 stop being delusional ceerigabo was historically dhulbahante but today it is a mix of both due to our generosity and thinking of isaaqs as normal human beings

[@rodag7831]

@@shukriiii What a lie? Sanaag was always a Isaaq land. Dhul Bahante are Darood who hail from the South. Ogadeen people to be exact.

[@shukriiii]

@@rodag7831 😂😂😂😂😂😂💀 ilaahow ha nawaalin

[@shukriiii]

@@rodag7831 you guys are oromo origin if anything and daarood occupies most of Somalia including north and we don’t originate from anywhere bold of you isaaq laanghaab clan

[@yonissayid6073]

Daarood is the largest clan and and most civilized people in somalia thats treu khatumo State Puntland and jubaland half of galmudug (ogaden Region) in Ethiopia and NFD kenya

[@SomalianGangsta4Lyfe]

Puntland was built by all Harti clans which is something you missed. Puntland in its current day is a MJ stronghold but was built by all Harti clans.

[@laascaanood539]

Tru story ❤

[@mikereizz]

you are spot on

[@user-bz8zq4mk3l]

@@mikereizz yeah spooooottt on

[@casura08]

The so-called somaliland has always been isaaq tribe dominated. THe people that inhabits laascaanood are not isaq nor they want the succession from the rest of somalia. The current leader of somaliland was one of the fighters that fought during the somali Civil. What he and his clan are doing now in lasanod looks like a vengeance for the crimes that they complain the late siyad bare inflicted on them since the people of lasanod are daarod tribe

[@kth6736]

I consider my self reasonably informed about global conflicts but didn't even know this conflict existed. 😅 Thank you professor.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

Same here! I knew about Somaliland and their indepdence movement but never heard of this conflict.

[@maddogbasil]

It started a couple months ago Over some disputes in thr katumo region Apparently the somaliland people were being incredibly bellicose and oppressive to the people living there so their is now an ongoing rebellion.

[@abdulrazakjama8191]

@@Homer-OJ-Simpson somalia is about clans and harti/darod are majority somali clan and they don’t support the secessionist agenda on their land because Somalia 🇸🇴 is the de jure

[@Niksg9424]

Class is in session folks

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Haha! Thanks. No tests though. :-) Have a great weekend.

[@abdishakurabdi1844]

Hallo Prof James, I'm from Laas'aanod Somalia. I am highly impressed about the research you have well research. as a people of las'anod we don't want to be a Part of Somaliland, we are a Part of Somalia, and that's the main issue of the confilct as you already said. Thank you.

[@suppernova1184]

that is bullshot because Somaliland is still officially part of Somalia but you still want to break off because of clan hatred

[@jerryrodriguez3554]

@Nandhini well the same can be said about isaaqs who wish to dominate another clan based off a one sided nationalism argument that only benefits them

[@suppernova1184]

@@jerryrodriguez3554 There is majority clan every where Somalia will always be dominated by Hawiye that doesn't give other clans an excuse to break off and act independently

[@samuelkilla8365]

Portland began separating from Somalia with the aim of building a Darud state. Note that Denny was absent from attending the meeting of the regions. So in the future there will be neither SSC nor Khaatumo. You will swallowed within Putland and the leading clan will be always Mahamud saleban.

[@hanz_60]

If you didn’t want to be part of somaliland, why didn’t your people make a move in 1991, when somaliland finally got its freedom? Why is this problem starting now? What were your people doing for the past 32 years?

[@trs284]

RIP Somaliland. 32 year fantasy destroyed in 3 months. Welcome Khaatumo

[@redman6790]

🎉

[@lionofthehornofafrica3631]

Spot on on your analyses of the issue’s at hand.The truth is Somaliland is run by racist Issaq subclan who run every position of the tribal enclave government position’s.They have even marginalised tribe’s within Issaq clan of Qarhajis let alone other tribes in Somaliland.The sub clan that’s running the tribal enclave is filling its pockets and stealing land from other tribes in Somaliland the likes of Gadabursi land of Gabiley and awdal as a whole.Let’s not even mention the massacre of Dir tribe in Awdal region on February 4th 1991 in Dilla,Borame Gabiley of Gadabursi and Issa tribe of awdal.In 1994 the Issaq turned its gun on the Issaq Garhajis tribe.So to suppress the Garhajis idea and will to unite the greater Somalia.And for the last 20 years they have been killing the Harti clan.To suppress the will of the Harti tribe to join the Mogadishu federal system..As Dir myself my people will never support the tribal enclave of SNM Mafia government in Hargaisa..We support the unity of Somali brotherhood.We are one race,One language and one religion.Only Japan is similar to us in oneness.The unity of Somalia is a must for all Somali people everywhere.Even my family in NFD Kenya and Somalistate in Ethiopia are longing for greater Somalia.In 2 to 5 months time Somaliland tribal enclave won’t exist.Garhajis and Awdal Dir will finish of this God forsaken tribal enclave that been killing Somali’s people for power.Somali’s are Muslim and are brothers.

[@hanz_60]

You can say the same about darood and hawiye who love to dominate and control all of Somalia. Darood is the reason for most problems. We not brothers. Go cry in the corner. We will be divided till prophet Issa comes.

[@sman9442]

Thank you, you clearly explained this situation!!! I am Daarood of the North and we don’t be part of Somaliland project!!!

[@bashafitness]

I’m Daarood as well who believes in somaliland and against the tribal war. I believe in democracy and building and building better world. And you know damn well puntland is behind this💯

[@sman9442]

@@bashafitness we are in the month of Ramadan. Fear Allah

[@thisguy2372]

@@bashafitness now you guys are here pretending Darood😂 have some shame

[@A-T_Teitus]

@@bashafitness you ain't Daarood for Sure.

[@kawsaradan]

As a Somalian growing up in Europe I never understood and still don't until this day the clan issue of my people however, your video made little clear. 😊 Hope this so called leaders come to conclusions to end this new conflict for the sake of the innocent people 😢😢

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I am glad it helped. It is an incredibly complex issue. It wasn't easy to piece it all together. More to the point, let's indeed hope that the fighting ends soon.

[@bisharGellowMahad]

Im ethnic Somali from northern Kenya in a tri-border town called mandera which share border with somalia and Ethiopia. I must admit that this analysis was spot-on

[@nunuissa6376]

Isn’t that a Somali land too and part of somaliweyn

[@skyshooter4009]

@@nunuissa6376 Yes, and i am sure everyone knows that. But, people are actually missing the biggest cause of this current conflict. There is presence of oil in Sool region. Somaliland Isaaq sub clan trying to steal it from the locals.

[@free-thinker1046]

Harti will always win mark my word ❤❤❤

[@ismaciilcabdillahiyuusuf2650]

The World with peace, unity and love,, watching from berbera somaliland rep,, thanks and more thanks,,,

[@MohamedAhmed-zs5le]

Somaliland is a terrorists

[@A-T_Teitus]

Peace comes After Love and unity.

[@mulkixoriyo]

People in Khatumo state has every right to choose their fate as regional state within the federal republic of Somalia. There is no known country called Somaliland, and therefore the dream of certain clan to divide Somalia cannot be accepted to any Somali with sense of nationalism. Somalia will remain one, period.

[@khalidqawdhan3265]

So if u want to be part of Somalia why do u want to force somaliland to be part of somalia. Don’t u believe in self determination I have no issue if u darood take ur land and be with ur somalia but we remain part of somaliland how about that isaaq and darood cannot share a country this is obvious

[@kareemhd1749]

@@khalidqawdhan3265 afraid to share a country with darod!!! Dude, you're sharing it with all somalis why single out darod?!

[@khalidqawdhan3265]

@@kareemhd1749 u share a country with hawiye and darood labadinaba. Leave us out of it

[@kareemhd1749]

@@khalidqawdhan3265 frightened to be a minority miyaa 😂😂😂 Somalia is one and we'll never be divided

[@khalidqawdhan3265]

@@kareemhd1749 somalia willl not be divided somaliland will also not be divided that’s the truth and there is nothing ur darood clan can do about it

[@akiim1532]

You forgot to mention that the whole reason the 1977 Ogaden war occurred is because it was Somalia’s indigenous land that was illegally annexed by the British and given to Ethiopia

[@jakef.7126]

I never fully understood the events of Somalia and what led to Civil War. I wished I had learnt all of this much sooner: the relationship between clans and the cause of the Ogaden war.

[@laascaanood539]

It’s never too late bro! Come to Somalia 🇸🇴 i know it’s a hard knock life! But it’s worth it

[@catalinmarius3985]

I've heard this story in multiple other countries, the clan system is one of the major causes of corruption in Africa. How can people be loyal to a nation if they are loyal to their clan first? To compare it to Romania, the Romanians have 3 sub-divisions: Transylvanians (West), Wallachians (South) and Moldavians (East). And then there are sub-divisions like Wallachians being Muntenians & Oltenians & Dobrujans, Moldavians being West Moldavians & Bukovinians & Bessarabians. BUT, every Romanian sees their sub-group as a sub-division of Romanian. They are Romanian first, and THEN Wallachian or Muntenian or whatever. Like the states in USA, a Californian is still an American, he is first and American, then a Californian. This is not the case in Africa.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

That also describes Afghanistan. It does seem that where there is such a weak central government and a strong identification to their clan, it leads to many problems. Heck, that was a major factor in the fall of the Holy Roman Empire.

[@aboosis4690]

africa if you say trabalism is true but clan is only in somalia

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@aboosis4690 I'm not sure Somalia is the only one with clan but you're right, it's mostly tribalism in Africa and not clans.

[@awiljama5234]

That is because the state is the first provider of benefits. There was a time when people started to believe in the state of somalia, because the gov. was working. But then they couldn't pay the salaries. Teachers, doctors, laborers everyone started fleeing the country for the middle east. In my last year of high school all the teachers disappeared into Saudi Arabia. My big city in the north was in the dark for years for lack of diesel and spare parts for the power plant. There was no external budget support for Somalia either (like most African countries) because of the conflict with Ethiopia, which alienated the Christian West. In the last days, the army barracks were empty, and children used to play with unattended anti-aircraft guns. Talk about one hell of a playground!

[@oskaaden304]

Thank you, that explains a lot of what many countries has been experiencing very smart thinking but I think this one is bit different because people in that area don’t want to be part of the secession in fact, they want to stay with the rest of the country that contains different kinds of tribes/ethnicities

[@adamsacad8265]

Great research. Appreciate how you elaborated the Las'anod issue.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much! Not the most straightforward video to put together. But the situation certainly deserves more attention.

[@saint-miscreant]

this hadn’t come up on my radar much, i’d only known about the situation with puntland and the broader issue of somaliland’s sovereignty, so this was a very informative video. thanks!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank so much. Yes, it really hadn’t received much attention. It certainly deserves a lot more.

[@AlexLee-dc2vb]

It's hilarious how much the time of this video's release is saving me - I need to give a presentation about Somalia on Tuesday. This was useful information. Good work as always, Professor

[@Handle0108]

If you have any questions, ask away

[@AlexLee-dc2vb]

@@Handle0108 Thank you for the offer! I was wondering if you could tell me about how the various warlord clans typically fund their militias. I heard that various jihadist groups in the region get revenue by taxing charcoal markets and coastal pirates, but I haven't heard of warlords using these same practices. Thanks again.

[@Handle0108]

@@AlexLee-dc2vbAl-Shabab has many sources of revenue, some known and some hidden but generally they get the bulk of their revenue by taxing regular citizens usually people in their areas and citizens with businesses, across the country using the power of fear. So they extort money from people like that which makes them a lot of revenue. Pirates are not really a thing anymore, so that’s not really significant today. They also are believed to be allegedly gaining some funding from foreign actors with different interests but this is unclear. As for warlords, firstly they don’t exist anymore since there is a government in somalia from 2011 onwards. There’s only politicians, Al-Shabab and African Union forces now. But when they did exist, in Somalia warlords were seen as just regular people, they aren’t “criminals” that have to resort to odd means of gaining money like Al-shabab. They are just like politicians, and they gained their revenue through business, salaries of their own or the backing of people who supported them. For example the very first warlords in 1990s Aidid and Ali Mahdi were opposing political rivals who each wanted to replace the toppled Siad Barre in 1991, and they fought each other ruthlessly for their own clans and interests. Aidid was seen as a hero by his clan and even other Somalis for a lot of reasons: he was a famous and seasoned elite general of the Somali army, trained in Rome Italy to become police chief, trained and educated at Frunze military academy in the Soviet Union(an elite institution reserved for the most qualified officers of the Warsaw Pact armies and their allies), a Veteran of the Ogaden war in 1977 and the main leader of the entire rebellion that toppled the dictatorship that ruled Somalia for 20 years, he had all sorts of backers from his own clan and across the country. Including Osman Ali Atto a famous rich businessman who backed him, which made Aidid very powerful. Ali Mahdi on the other hand was himself a rich businessman in Somalia, he wasn’t very famous but he had the backing of his own clan and he was also internationally recognised as president of the country throughout the tumultuous 1990s but he had little power outside of a few areas in the south in reality(de facto). Other warlords like Mohammed Said Hersi or Morgan for short, was a UN designated war criminal who lead the Isaq Genocide in the North, but he had the backing and loyalty of many militias from his own clan as he was a powerful General of the Somali army who was married to the former leader’s daughter. Also the US supported many warlords (who were more secular) in the early 2000s as a counter measure against jihadism and as part of its global war on terror. But in conclusion, it’s important to know that all the warlords were supported first and foremost by their own clan, and people did so since in the broken post war system of Clanism it was “eat or be eaten”, so everyone supported powerful people from their own clan to protect their interests. Secondly, most of the warlords were well known people who already had power in the country before the Civil war so they had a good grip on power and had a lot of connections, influence and loyal supporters.

[@Nury_the_1]

​​@@AlexLee-dc2vb They do so by extortion and stealing Aid and selling it. Also growing Khat and selling it in Ethiopia and Yemen, and taxing the roads by forming road blocks and any passer has to pay a fee. The single positive thing of these Warlords are they fight the Terrorists. But they are even worse because they have no ideology except kill and make money. The US has to stop funding them and instead support the National Army, if they want to actually remove terrorism for Somalia, Hope that answered your question 😉

[@abdulqanidahirismail3677]

he concisely and brecisely made a point but I would add you one missing point, mostly Elite of dhulbahante are ready to be part in somaliland and they have full inclusive in somaliland system, the recent unrest situation in laascaanood is caused by debate about clan power sharing

[@sadia_844]

Please correct your tittle the war is between Somaliland and lascanod people, somaliland forcing to rule the lascanod city killing the civilians and causing a genocide.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Watch the video. I explain all this. That is part of the reason I used that title with the question mark. The situation is more complex than it seems.

[@khalidr7576]

As someone residing on so called Somaliland, this is one of many Somalian civil wars saga each with different flavour but nevertheless same freedom, oppression and war crimes.

[@salebanhusein1880]

Somaliland people are Lions 1977 they attacked against Ethiopia they helped you and ogadenia but today Ethiopia are our brothers we love Somali people but we want to be a country

[@hadaafi]

@@salebanhusein1880 the darod clan that want to leave somaliland does not want the same for their brothers in Ethiopia , to free them its envy because of somaliland succes and hate for the issaq cland and people getting closer to independence each day . Viva somaliland

[@maddogbasil]

​@@hadaafi no need for the politics That's the same reason everyone is here today Many peopp3 have died due to somali land being very oppressive to its own people

[@khalidr7576]

@@salebanhusein1880 Every one is hero of his own tale but most are just delusional.

[@saleebanabdi4406]

So called😂 it is Somaliland

[@Mom-tg8yb]

Somalia will recognise somaliland soon daarood is the problem. God bless dir clan

[@---id4dc]

keep dreaming

[@amiirmaxamed2149]

I am from Somaliland and I like how you are correct in this topic

[@isseyare837]

Somaliland is ISAAQ land While dhulbahante and warsangeli is khatumo state of 🇸🇴 60% off people in s/land want to stay in Somalia 🇸🇴 while 40% all isaaq need independence I'm from sanaag region we all Somalis and belong to Somalia 🇸🇴 Guul iyo gobanimo Somalia 🇸🇴 is one

[@akiim1532]

This battle stretches further then 91. The dhulbahante clan were a huge portion of the Dervish group who waged war with the British. They have been historically anti imperial and forced the British to bomb Africa for the first time due to the humiliation the British received from the dervish fighters lead by sayyid mahmmed Abdullah Hassan also known as “the mad mullah”

[@G-hg9ff]

the leaders of derivsh are from isaaq clan

[@shukriiii]

@@G-hg9ff first you want our land now you claim our identities, stop lying lying inferiority complex human beings

[@mohamedjele2396]

There is no country called somaliland.The fact of the matter is that the united nations,African union.The EU don't know a country called Somaliland but instead they know a country called somalia. Colonial names no longer exist Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland. Somalia is the only name that thrives.

[@muktarabdulle]

A very fascinating and brief overview of what is happening in Las'anood.We appreciate your unbiased and informative video on this issue.

[@sahnim7481]

😂😂😂The person who gave you the information told you wrong information about the lands owned by the Darod tribe, and your information is not correct. Where are the other Somali tribes? The Darod tribe is not the largest Somali tribe. This map is very wrong, and was drawn by someone from the Darod tribe or inclined to them.😂😂

[@Som-Hanoolaato]

The fighting is between the Somali land and Las Anood, not with Puntland. Thanks for sharing

[@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505]

Actually the fighting is between a unified Dhulbahante sub clan of Harti Darod, some of their other related clans as allies, all fighting the larger 7 clans of the isaaq and the issa and Samaroon of Somaliland being backed by DJIBOUTI too

[@MM-tw7pu]

The conflict is actually between the 2 regional administrations of Somaliland and Puntland allied tribal locals within the breakaway Somaliland

[@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505]

@@MM-tw7pu are you stupid ? Puntland armed forces have not taken part in this war according to USA, un security council and Somalia federal government....only a few sub clans in Puntland have sent their clan armies like some lineages of the Majeerteen (not even all of them list sub clans), a few lineages of Warsangali and some small units coming from kaskiqabe and leelkase and geri Koombe sub clans (whose population is small), one thing is for sure, Somaliland which has been a state for thirty years and whose armed forces are trained by UK (well that has stopped now), along with Somalilands 7 isaaq clans and 2 dir clans being armed and financed and supported with more weapons and soldiers by the dictator of DJIBOUTI, basically two states and 9 clans, tried to unfairly gang up and massacre Dhulbahante civilians of Las Anod, bear in mind Dhulbahante is a sub sub sub clan of Darod (Dhulbahante is geneologically equivalent to one one isaaq sub clan like habar yonis), and after 21 or so days of Dhulbahante fighting alone against two states and nine clans, the nearby Harti Darod clans of Puntland said they refuse to watch their cousin clan be overwhelmed and unjustly invaded so (once Puntland state government refused for its official armed forces to enter the war) these clans then sent reinforcements to help Dhulbahante in Las Anod and it still isn't fair since Somaliland is made up of nine clans backed by DJIBOUTI in this war so it's two states and nine clans who first fought Dhulbahante a Darod sub sub sub clans for weeks, got defeated, and now even though Dhulbahante has new reinforcements from Puntland clans (not Puntland armed forces), things are a bit better but still Puntland clans are all the same Harti sub clan of Darod, so imagine, an entire isaaq clan family along with their dir clan family of Somaliland and Djibouti are being embarrassed and defeated by Harti Darod, harti being a single sub clan of Darod Allah is always with the righteous people in any way and we will keep winning this war not just for Harti or for Darod in general, but for Somalia's territorial integrity and we know our martyrs in this war will go heaven for dying for the unity of Somalia and their desire to take their Dhulbahante lands away from rebel seccesionist British Ethiopian slave Somaliland, and rejoin Somalia, while any sane person knows all Somaliland and Djibouti troops that die in their unjust war (defending so called arbitrary British colonial borders which make no sense since Dhulbahante clan is the only northern clan that refused to sign any treaty to become a protectorate or colony of British empire while isaaq and dir all signed) and invasion of Dhulbahante lands will go straight to hellfire may Allah send me and my entire family to hell if I am wrong in this assessment How can someone have the cheek to tell Dhulbahante clan, that our kings who reached a united decision with consensus after a long 10 day meeting, can't chose to join their land with Somalia ....who are the filthy rebels of Somaliland to be telling the descendants of the Dervish movement armies of Sayid Mohamed abdulle Hassan (Dhulbahante mainly) what to do with their land ? Even professor Ian remarked at the hypocrisy of Somaliland trying to deny Dhulbahante their self determination to secede from Somaliland while the latter is itself trying to break away from mother Somalia, hence why we know for a fact Dhulbahante will keep winning this war and will liberate all of eastern Somaliland This war isn't even Dhulbahante Vs somaliland anymore, it is now at the level of Harti Darod (meaning Puntland clans will help us directly and Puntland special forces and state army will indirectly help us) and even the Warsangali of somaliland have joined this war to also break away from rebel Somaliland and rejoin Somalia by making a new state that is composed of Dhulbahante and Warsangali (a merger will happen between Khatumo state of Dhulbahante and Maakhir state of Warsangali)

[@aminselmi8378]

Somaliland is a peaceful nation and it has been enjoying peace and prosperity without international communities for over 30yrs. Somaliland nation particularly the Isaq clan were slaughtered and almost exterminated by Dictator Siad Barre and his clan Darood. Somaliland put behind the genocide that the Darood clan and its regime inflicted on them. However remenants of Siad barre regime and his clan Darood are unhappy to see Somaliland achievements and progress.They started killing supporters and Somaliland officers in Lasscaanood and they also started harbouring international terrorist Alshabab. Somaliland need support from the international communities and from their friends to defeat these international terrorist and their collaborators from Putland before it is too late and before it spreads to the rest of Horn of Africa and the rest of the world and in turn before it affects the international shipping lane in the Red Sea and Western interest .

[@Cocobuttercup2]

You missed the fact that Warsangali as well as Dhulbahanti have important seats in Puntland - The Speaker of the House in Putland has to always be Warsangali and the Vive President always has to be Dhulbahanti

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Good point. This is a very complex situation. And it’s very easy to put in too much information and confuse viewers who might not know much about a situation. You’ll understand that in a short video it isn’t possible to cover everything, but I hope I got the main points across.

[@Cocobuttercup2]

@@JamesKerLindsay Greatly appropriated the video’s depth Professor. Thank you and I understand that too much info may actually hinder understanding by making it overly complex!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you again for mentioning it!

[@simdachi]

Somaliland is not a secessionist state. SSC is a myth. In the Sool region the dulbahante live in three towns and in Sanaag the warsangeli are 10% of the population while in Bohodle and the surroundings the Isaaqs are 46% of the population. The Somaliland troops are peacekeepers. You haven't mentioned all the daroods troops who have been pouring in LC together with Al-Shabab. All borders of African countries are colonial borders. Puntland is a tribal enclave and that's not in accordance with the AU charter. Somaliland will be the 55th African nation soon

[@JC_303]

I still worry that you may be AI, but the content is great.

[@free-thinker1046]

Dhulbahante are making Isaaq rag tag old toothless army cry like a baby. 🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴

[@bowsi9]

I have subscribed I do believe your channel deserves much more audience

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. That is incredibly kind. I really appreciate it.

[@__Man__]

Somalis are going to have their own "league" just like "Arab leagues". Since many Somalis decide to tear apart and make their own countries

[@gurhanweyrah3930]

Thank you for discussing this issue. The problem with Somaliland is the fact that they want independence but apart from the Isaaq clan all other clans in the region are against secession from Somalia. Even clans in Awdal near Djibouti 🇩🇯 are against independence from Somalia 🇸🇴 so how do Isaaq clan expect the federal government of Somalia🇸🇴 to respect their wishes if Somaliland doesn’t respect the wishes of its own people.

[@hanz_60]

And why do ✌🏽darood clan✌🏽 think everything is about them. But they want unity at the same time. Self centred people. Somaliland is happy to move on. There’s no problem here and stop make things up. If Isaac were the only ones asking for independent there would be problems in the north just like las anood.

[@fadumocabdirisaaq4886]

I'm from the North and its just delusional to say that we are against the succession we are part of somaliland and will always be so don't put your opinions on us when you don't know nothing and if it comes to war we will die defending our lands

[@A-T_Teitus]

@@hanz_60 The current president of Somalia is not Daarood, the President of Somaliland is not Daarood, The Djibouti as well, when is Daarood self centered? Did you even see Somaliland? Only isaaq rules Somaliland, it's actually isaaq who are self centered who doesn't want other people to rule them but want them to rule others. They fought against Siyad Barre because He was Daarood, And now They are fighting against dhulbahante to do what Siyad Barre Has done.

[@A-T_Teitus]

@@fadumocabdirisaaq4886 The north is not just one person, Somalis are divided into clans and the heads of these clans are the ones that can decide the future of their clan.

[@webiplus]

This is a sensitive topic because Somalis both from Somaliland and Somalia are super sensitive to tribalism. Its the reason why Somalia is last in every metric of success. It will never really be a stable nation in Africa. Our people are divided so much by clan ties that conflict will always be round the corner & prosperity will always be a dream.

[@idmanl]

That’s the unfortunate truth. I’ve never seen people hate each other like Somalis 😢 I mean the hatred runs deep. Our people are Forever doomed 😭

[@webiplus]

​@@idmanl Yes, until tribalism dies, Somalis will always be disunited & we will spend next 100 years fighting each other instead of developing our country.

[@idmanl]

@@webiplus You’d think people that are 99% Muslim share a language and culture would get along but no. May Allah heal us and allow us to see the bigger picture so that the next generation don’t have to suffer the way we did the past 32 years. Being refugees scattered all over the world isn’t fun.

[@alexturlais8558]

We tend to assume nations are homogenous fixed groups who always want their own state, so thank you for covering such a unique situation!

[@HA-jq1mu]

There will never be a united somalia which includes somaliland after what those people did to our people. We will never accept that blue flag

[@abdidaud896]

Great coverage James and with the amount of fake news, I am so amazed how you picked the right and significant events. One thing that I like to add is that many militia from Puntland and Abdi Madobe terrorist group have also joined the local anti Somaliland forces. This has changed Somaliland public view on the conflict. It's now largely seen as invasion. Also note that Somaliland never took Dhulbahante cities by only Isaaq or Dir forces. It was always based on request of the local community. General Mahad Ambashe is one example of many. So it's not true that all Dhulbahante are against being part of Somaliland. It's also important to highlight how Darood politicians from Somalia have funded this war. Farmajo and others have planned for this military campaign for a long time. The motive is so have more Darood dominated federal state as Somalia moves away from the 4.5 power formula Also, the assassination of Somaliland officers in Sool (over 40) is also worth mentioning. These were Dhulbahante officers who believed in Somaliland nationalism and killed by Abdi Madobe terrorists. It's ironic and absurd that the Garad started the campaign blaming Somaliland gov to be behind the killings itself. Anyway, this is to say you did the best job and liked to add few important events My question, what action should we take to address what the EU highlighted about Somaliland status? Somalia took Kenya over Km of sea and used colonial boundaries to win the case, don't you see that people deserve more justice than fish and whales? Do you see like Kosovo and Serbia, direct talks have failed (over a decade now) and we should seek an international process?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for all that extra information. That is incredibly helpful and I really appreciate it. Obviously it’s difficult trying to explain such a complex situation in such a short video. But hopefully I provided a good overview for viewers who might not know much or anything about the conflict. Let’s just hope things will settle down soon.

[@StrivingSoul00]

@@JamesKerLindsay The recent conflict in Lasaanod is mainly due to Somaliland’s lack of security in the capital city of LasAanod. Since 2007 150+ deaths consisting of predominant leaders such as scholars, businessmen & politicians have been mysteriously murdered. Not one murder was solved by Somaliland’s government. The Somaliland government has 7 military bases surrounding LasAanod, the locals raised suspicions & took those mysterious murdered as a orchestrated plot to kill off the Voice’s of LasAanod. Thus caused the Unity of the Locals to form the long awaited Khatumo/SSC state. For 32 years the eastern regions haven’t been given their fair Share of the International Aid Somaliland gets from Somalia. Reason being they’re aren’t loyal to Somaliland simply because of their lineage is Darood.

[@mohamede.toukaleh4723]

Somaliland was dead when they elected a war criminal from Hargeisa as the President, the shooting on peaceful protest from University students from Las Anod by SL President spark the war, and Awdal another former state from Somalia in Somaliland will join SSC-Khatumo state to join the Federal Republic of Somalia 🇸🇴.. issaq clans majority in Hargeisa don't want to share SOMALILAND with others tribes

[@abdinasirhassan4066]

Prof James, thank you for covering this complex conflict. I’m from SSC region in Northern Somalia. I watched this video 2 times. I found 1 mistakes and 1 false assumption that I like to point out. 1st is “isaaq is majority of Somaliland, which is not true. If you we to compare isaaq vs the rest of somaliland clans, they would constitute 50% at max. Second point I like emphasize on the assumption that if somaliland was recognized already, all this programs would have been illuminated, which is far from the truth. From the beginning isaaq clan has been trying to dominate while SSC region has been resisting that unlawful domination. I love your work, but I’m seeing a biased stance, I don’t know if it’s intentional or you have been miss-informed. I believe if somaliland was to be recognized as it is, the conflict would be much broader and worse. The succession is only wanted by the isaaq clan which occupies 40% of somaliland and constitutes % 50% at best. So 50% of somaliland inhabitants don’t want to succeed from the rest, this is what conflict is truly about. The rest is an addition to that base problem.

[@acacius9903]

04:16 the Darood killed the president of Somalia. One of the reasons Somalia fell apart.

[@khayrahmed1052]

You should look the oil exploration angle. I am surprised you never mentioned the role western oil companies play in Sool region. Somaliland over promised oil deals that they cannot deliver because the area doesn't belong to secessionist tribes. SSC belongs to Harti tribe regardless if they identify as Puntland or Khatumo. Hence, any oil deal in Harti tribe lands would be done according to federal and member States constitutions.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. There are always a lot of details I have to leave out. It is very easy to confuse viewers who might not know much about a situation. But I hope this gave a good general overview of a complex problem. I hope to return to it in a future video.

[@qaranyuusufcaliburmad8696]

I really appreciate your deep explanations ❤ You missed one important thing and that’s In 1998 all Harti-Daarood clans formed a puntland as the first federal region in Somalia 🇸🇴 and puntland consists of five regions and buuhoodle district. The rest of may story you've explained.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. An important point.

[@sagal3146]

Thanks you for this video. I hope peace for my city lascanood🇸🇴

[@fikradkorodhso2591]

Somaliland is peaceful and stability country .this problem we will fixing immediately lam somalilander man

[@KINGZ44four]

I agree with most of what you said, however I feel like you have missed major key point in this story and that is the dhulbahante clan are divided politically. Some want puntland, others support Somaliland and there’s also another group that want SSC khaatumo state. Maybe another point u failed to mention was that all those who were assassinated in laascanod past few years were dhulbahante who were loyal to Somaliland. Other than that great report!

[@GeediGeediMuse]

Awdal, SSC and NorthWest make up Somaliland. Awdal and SSC are unionists and want NO secession. NW though is mainly the one pushing secession and aggressive toward the other two and the whole region. The new conflict of lascanod originated from that.

[@riddlerO07]

Professor, I respectfully wish to point out that the map depicting the areas where each clan resides appears to contain inaccuracies. Specifically, it misrepresents the Isaaq population, which constitutes the majority in Sanaag and shares Sool equally with the Dhulbante.

[@jakey2424]

The map is accurate. 2/3 of Sanaag belongs to Darood, particularly Warsangeli. 85% of Sool belongs to Dhulbahante. 25% of Togdheer belongs to Dhulbahante. The map that the professor showed us is accurate.

[@Jiulize]

😅🤣😅son stop politicizing and diluting factual maps 😂.

[@qaasimmacruuf6137]

Soomaaliland British Repuplic yez Jemis

[@ruhail1]

This sums up the complex clan conflict in Somalia. This the most accurate insight by any European into the history of this country and the problems facing its people.. 👍

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. I hope I managed to look at the situation fairly and accurately. I know I have a tough audience! :-) But I genuinely find the area so amazingly interesting.

[@halilmamohamed4493]

The partition of the map of somaliland is wrong…

[@waynesampson7185]

Very complex issue indeed. If you include its strategic position around the Mediterranean, vegetation and natural resources in the mix. It gets even more complicated.

[@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505]

Huh ? Mediterranean is too far away from Somalia, our sea is red sea, gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean infact our coastline is where all oil and cargo maritime trade traffic between Europe and Asia passes through

[@雷-t3j]

@@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505 Yeah OP got that wrong, but you're right about the strategic strength of somaliland

[@hassanabdikarimmohamed2505]

@@雷-t3j there is no entity called Somaliland that exists as a de Jure state and this is coming from a guy whose family is from Sool Sanaag cayn regions of northern Somalia in Buuhoodle town of the Dhulbahante clan Somaliland is an unrecognised secessionist government recently implicated by the world in perpetrating indiscriminate shelling of civilian city and killing thousands for simply refusing to go along with their secessionist agenda Legally under international law there will always was and will continue to be one Somali sovereign nation state which the world knows as Somalia or the federal republic of Somalia, Somaliland legally de Jure under international law and UN law is part and parcel of, and a member state of Somalia Stop dividing my country it's not like I call Scotland independent of UK and I never refer to Catalonia as if it is its own country I go back what is recognised under international law and what the world has consensus on, just like Catalonia is part of Spain like Scotland is part of UK, Somaliland is part of Somalia So your strategic remark legally and accurately should be referring to the whole of Somalia not some section of our country...the whole country is strategic we have the longest coastline In Africa and the Arab League in strategic red sea gulf of Aden Indian Ocean seas and this is just one strategic thing we have we got other strategic qualities as Somalia like the fact we r the most eastern country in Africa that in future will link Africa's untapped mineral wealth and trade from Congo to Uganda Ethiopia etc all will use Somalis coast and ports to trade with East Asia where the future superpowers will be and Somalia will rever to its medieval ancient role as a coastal port entry point for African goods from a plethora of states UN report even said Somalia has 25 percent of the world's easily recoverable (strip mining technique not heavy industrial drilling equipment) uranium reserves lmao This is me mentioning just three strategic things about Somalia the lost is quite long Respect our territorial integrity and sovereignty and follow international law, and the UN, there is only one Somalia and Somaliland where I am from as a Dhulbahante Darod clan member, is just one of 6 federal member states of Somalia

[@nawalyyart]

It’s not putland?? It’s khaatumo state of Somalia vs somaliland!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Do watch the video. This is the point I explain.

[@lasqoraymedia8196]

It is not Somaliland-Puntland conflict. That is an oversimplification. The secessionist Somaliland hoodwinks the international community for what it is not. Our people (supermajority of Sanaag and Sool regions) have nothing to do with the SNM/Isaq clan’s claim to statehood. This is a dangerous political aspirations and it is unilateral. For the last decade or so, Somaliland has adopted an aggressive dual policy to expand to our regions and to destabilize the rest of Somalia. Hargeisa sees a weak and violent Somalia (southern regions) its gain to statehood. Most of their supporters are delusional. We must hold the elite leaders in Hargeisa accountable. The Warsangali and Dhulbahante will never be part of the Isaq project. We will fight to the end. Somalia is a sovereign nation like Ukraine and we can’t have a rogue, clan-centric state dismember the country.

[@royalegamer2704]

Please do analysis of sikh republic of khalistan (which declared independence in april 1986), current punjab situation by imprisoning sikh rights activists and applying draconion NSA act on them for simply peacefully speaking about sikh nationhood yet hindu nationalists can preach freely and even do violence with no indian reigme action on them, khalistan referrendum, oppression and overt discrimination of the punjabi Sikh minority by the far right hindutva indian reigme. Infringing upon the guaranteed democratic secular constitutional rights of Sikh since 1950s, etc

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks for the suggestion. It is certainly a topic that I have wanted to look at for a while.

[@royalegamer2704]

@@JamesKerLindsay great stuff looking forward to it 😎

[@gaagaalayaasha]

Khatuumo state territorial integrity should be respected

[@khalidsl686]

It doesn't exist so how can you respect it?

[@Aminaali680]

Yes khatuumo always existed before 15 year ago went they untiled somaliland , then they decided to divide their state against dictator, Musa bihix, because what he was keep is killing and kidnapping very month the educated ones dhubahanto

[@dizz1934]

Basically Somaliland is the new version of Al-shabab in somalia.

[@cabdirisaaqdaahir7884]

Don't say that; Somaliland is stable and democracy country,because most of the regions are peaceful and no CONFLICT EXEPT lasonad. This conflict is one evil Complains created by putland politics debating clans.

[@dizz1934]

@@cabdirisaaqdaahir7884 Terrorism : The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

[@aliabdi8347]

Each and every somali clan has it's own terriotary no clan can encroach another clan's terriotary and subjugate it's habitant under it's dominion The successionist clan in the northern enclave which happens to be isaq clan encroached into SSC (Dhulbahante's terriotary) even though Dhulbahante didn't want to secede from Somalia. That's what this conflict is all about

[@samizakariya5155]

Thanks for being neutral as possible. Might i say SSC Khaatumo population never agreed to British colonial rule and fought 22 years from 1899 to 1921, until they were first country in africa to be bombed(chemical bombs). Moreover that resulted to their grievance with this issaq colonial border demarcation rule. Since north united with south and issaq signed agreement then retreated back to pre colonial agreement. Why should SSC khaatumo population accept this bogus clan based administration called Somaliland . Furthermore somaliland aka issaq are doing genocide on SSC population to accept Somaliland .while issaq are simultaneously putting a claim that they was massacred by somalia military junta to international community .Somaliland are doing to SSC Khaatumo, what Somalia dictatorship did to them. Somaliland/Hargeisa regime is maintaining unreasonable political vision while using all geopolitical interests to stop SSC Khaatumo self determination. Somaliland is getting weapons from Djibouti, even though All of somalia has weapon embargo

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much Sami. Great points. Sadly, this is often the case. A group wants self-determination, but it unwilling to offer it to others. Look out for this week’s video. I hope to look at a similar situation in the Balkans.

[@stevemerchant6120]

I have an idea for a future video. Discuss Scottish independence and how Spain would veto there admission so as not to give Catalonia any idea of forming their own country.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I’m planning to look at Scotland this week. But we need to be careful. Spain would only block EU accession after a unilateral secession. (In which case, a far bigger problem for Scotland would be that the UK would block its UN membership.) An agreed independence be perfectly acceptable to Madrid.

[@TheAtemiles]

I'm just a few minutes in and there is one thing I'd like to correct there is only 4 main clans. Issaq is a part of dir. What u just did is like saying darood and harti are different clans. Issaq is a subclan of dir same way harti is a subclan of darood Edit for proof look at somalis 4.5 clan system where federal gov shares power. Issaq are under dir.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. There is clearly considerably debate on this. Many authoritative sources note there are 5 clans. But I have seen the 4.5 as well. Interestingly, few few in the comments have made this point and so I’m guessing that it is not a general view.

[@TheAtemiles]

@@JamesKerLindsay yea there is a lot of misinformation but the gov power sharing agreement would be the go to authority. Logically that would mean issaq would be on the same level as darood or hawiye which just isn't true. Also one more thing I'd like to correct is how you said puntland and SL were fighting for Sol sanaag etc. Look up Ali khalif he was a diplomat who was president of khatumo state in 2007 when he signed the agreement to become part of SL. Before then dhulbahante made a deal to be a part of puntland. But ali khalif in 07 changed the trajectory for thT area.

[@moa3605]

You are really really thousands of times better than the mainstream media, Really knowledgeable,and fairly reported. Well done Prof.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. This is an important and worrying situation that is not getting enough international attention. Let's hope that the region can find peace soon.

[@alijama1249]

@@JamesKerLindsayyou more knowledgeable about Somalia and somaliland then most Somalis thank you for efforts and everything you do thank again god bless you

[@MH-jg6vk]

@@JamesKerLindsaycan you delve in the topic “Partition of Albania” which begins with the treaty of berlin 1878 and the treaty of London 1913, which saw 60% of Albanians being left outside Albania and given to Greece and Serbia (as well as Montenegro). The Albanian question still remains unsolved and will unfortunately lead to another inevitable conflict

[@yandel7092]

Before any recognition, Somali people should talk together to resolve old problems out of clans clashs. First, every side have to judge alive war criminals who live free today. After this, somalis have to find peace by making two seperate countries but working together to establish peace and economical growth !

[@sheekhcabdiraxmaancumar6937]

Somaliland will be somaliland and their opposites will fail to face somaliland

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

Your pronunciation of these clans and such are impeccable. I am thoroughly impressed. You're a really good analyzer and professor. I appreciate you, Professor James and thank you for this!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! That is so incredibly kind of you to say. I was so worried about that. I actually watched a lot of Somali videos to try to get it right. I just always have a really strong British accent in whatever language I try to speak! :-)

[@jaalejoole7469]

“They’re a primitive species” un-evolved and at war with one another.” Too separated to be one. Their freedom will be ripped from them, If they don’t stop instigating this conflict. Hawiye are the real top dogs in Somalia. They are the largest Somali clan family. And they don’t want this conflict to continue and get out of control. All of this is occurring because of Puntland's reckless ambition, their sole purpose is to expand and become future rivals to somalia.

[@Hippobottomless]

Great job professor very detailed video. Can u also do a video on the Ogaden region conflict with the locals and the ONLF rebels wanting independence from Ethiopia. Also with the discovery of oil and natural gas and the Ethiopian government awarding it to china and the west not being happy about that.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Great suggestion! Yes, it’s on my list.

[@FarahAbdul]

If Somaliland borders are question by the international community then Ethiopian border and Kenyan borders well be questioned by Somali people in East Africa because borders are not based on clans and tribes which is what Putland is claiming. 30 % of eastern Ethiopia belongs to Somalis there for it should be part of Somalia the international community can not have both ways denying Somaliland rights because some clan in Somaliland wants to be part of Somalia doesn't mean you you can disregard the eastern border of Somaliland.😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@omarahmed5372]

I am available to give you in-depth and credible information pertaining to the situation and in-general regarding Somalia 🇸🇴 often you and Simon Whistler are given a narrative instead of the actual information ℹ️

[@abiibabiib4108]

I think James is well informed about the isse. I do belief the Somaliland independence is the solution.

[@ozze5883]

Puntleen hate on Somaliland but we always win😁

[@falischika6221]

The documentary is very informative and detailed. It's great to see an outsider who is honest and knowledgeable about the real issues happening in this region of Somalia. Thank you Prof James for investing time in researching and creating this video.

[@abdiosman376]

The title should be SSC-KHAATUMO v somaliland

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Watch the video. I explain this.

[@theclassifiedmedia-j6d]

Everything you said is correct and balanced 👌

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much!

[@mohamedabdillahi7123]

Las anod a toujours été une région du somaliland et restera le puntland doit arrêter ses influences qu elle mène dans le territoire somalilandais

[@haykalcadde8395]

I am a citizen of Somalia, especially from puntiland, I wish the state of Somalia success and independence, peace and prosperity in your struggle to liberate the Somali nation from the British and Italian colonialists.

[@rebornstillborn]

I'm pretty sure it is not British and Italian people killing and abusing people in the region. But yeah, push the blame on someone else. That will solve the problem

[@SammarMedia]

I am sorry but you're using wrong map. Please use the right map od Somalia 🇸🇴🙏🏽

[@zakiabdiaden8869]

Good point 🎉

[@shamsoqase1752]

I really appreciate the why you explained the situation and I wish pace for everyone

[@r.o.c_3]

peace! darod dulmane qoxooti jecle

[@mua2]

Warsangeli here, we will never be part of Somaliland. Somalia forever 🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴

[@Ardaa_fardowza143]

Thank you very much Prof James ker-lindsay

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@hassannur8022]

Sorry to say clan conflict the inter-State war between Somaliland and Somalia. The substitution of Sovereignty to clan is the main problem invested by the United Nations from 1960 to the present, the UN is shielded certain colonial States.

[@hahahahahaha8747]

Another masterpiece ✨

[@kareemhd1749]

The international community including the US, UK and China have strongly condemned Somaliland's aggression on the Dhulbahante clan and ordered them to withdraw from their region... If intl community is saying this then obviously they don't believe Somaliland is the custodian or have any jurisdiction over these territories. The USA blatantly told them to pull out of their forces immediately. Somaliland is all about one clan called the Isaaq who seek domination and sovereignty post their failure to be relevant in wider Somalia politics. It's all about power and political representation for them... They know they will hardly lead Somalia with the presence of Darod and Hawiye clans so they resort to self determination and secession.