PM Hamza Joins First Anniversary Celebrations of Northeastern State in Las Anod

Mogadishu (SONNA) – The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, on Monday joined hundreds of residents and senior leaders of the Northeastern State administration in commemorating the first anniversary of the regional state’s establishment during a ceremony held in Las Anod.

In a wide-ranging address, the Prime Minister praised the administration for the progress it has made within its first year, noting that significant achievements had already been realized. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Northeastern State, describing the administration as a symbol of Somalia’s unity and emphasizing that its development serves the interests of its people.

Prime Minister Hamza extended his congratulations to the people of Northeastern State, both at home and abroad, commending the region’s progress over the past year. He described the area’s residents as courageous people whose resilience has inspired Somalis across the country despite enduring years of conflict.

The Prime Minister also urged the administration and local communities to maintain cordial relations with neighboring federal member states, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence, good neighborliness, and preserving the longstanding kinship ties that unite Somali communities.

Highlighting the country’s democratic transition, Prime Minister Hamza congratulated Galmudug on its recent one-person, one-vote elections and announced that similar elections would be organized in other parts of Somalia to return political power directly to the people. He criticized calls by some political figures to remove decision-making from Somali hands, insisting that such proposals would never be accepted.

Addressing Somalia’s broader challenges, the Prime Minister identified terrorism and organized groups opposed to state-building as the country’s primary obstacles to lasting peace and development. During the ceremony, several Federal Cabinet ministers also delivered brief remarks, outlining ongoing development projects currently being implemented across Northeastern State.