Somalia: North Eastern State parliament has ordered the prosecution of Somaliland fighters detained in Las Anod, opening a new legal battle over prisoners captured during the 2023 conflict.
LAS ANOD, Somalia (Horseed Media) — Somalia’s North Eastern State parliament has ordered the immediate prosecution of detainees held in Las Anod, a move that could complicate years of stalled negotiations over prisoner exchanges with Somaliland.
The resolution, adopted unanimously at an extraordinary sitting on Sunday, instructs the government to refer detainees accused of displacement, mass killings and other serious crimes to a competent court for prosecution in accordance with the law. It also calls for transparent proceedings that safeguard the legal rights of all parties.
While the resolution does not mention Somaliland, describe the detainees as prisoners of war, or specify how many people it covers, lawmakers said it targets fighters captured during the 2023 conflict over Las Anod.
The decision marks a significant shift from previous efforts centered on negotiated prisoner swaps. Somaliland has consistently maintained that detainees should only be released as part of a mutually agreed exchange. On Saturday, Deputy Education Minister Mohamed Muse Haaji Abdi Galaydh reiterated that both sides’ detainees would be freed simultaneously once a final agreement is reached.
Horseed Media could not independently verify how many detainees remain in custody, whether a court has been designated to hear the cases, or when trials might begin. Officials in both Las Anod and Hargeisa did not immediately comment.
The detainees were captured during the nine-month conflict that erupted in February 2023 and ended in August after SSC-Khaatumo forces seized the strategic Gooja’ade military base, forcing Somaliland troops to withdraw. The International Committee of the Red Cross has visited detainees held by both sides.
Legal experts note that international humanitarian law does not permit prosecution solely for participating in hostilities. Captured combatants may be tried only for alleged war crimes or other serious offenses before an independent and impartial court meeting internationally recognized standards.
The parliamentary vote came amid political tensions within the legislature, where lawmakers also voted to strip immunity from five members who recently resigned, underscoring growing divisions within the newly established administration.
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