By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, January 17, 2026 Diplomatic activity increased in the city of Las Anod on Friday as a regional delegation from Djibouti arrived ahead of the inauguration of the first president of the new North East State administration.
The Djiboutian delegation led by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Moomin Hassan Barreh, and the Minister of Communication, Radwan Abdullahi Bahdoon, was among the first to arrive in the city. The visit demonstrates the strong relationship the country shares with the new administration led by the President-elect, Abdulqadir Ahmed Aw Ali, popularly known as ‘Firdhiye’.
The presence of Djibouti sets a precedent for the diplomatic relations being established with the nascent administration. The Horn of Africa nation has historically played a mediating role in Somali politics, hence its involvement in Las Anod is seen as a sign of political support for the changes occurring in the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn.
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The inauguration, scheduled for Saturday, is a significant milestone for the North East State administration, formerly known as SSC-Khatumo. The administration emerged after local forces ousted Somaliland troops from Las Anod in early 2023, following months of heavy fighting that displaced tens of thousands of civilians.
In his inauguration speech, President-elect Firdhiye is expected to request international development aid and affirm his administration's intent to fully integrate into the federal system of Somalia.
