The city of Ceerigaabo, also known as Erigavo, is the capital of the Sanaag region in Somalia. Since 1991, the town has experienced significant changes due to local clan dynamics. During the Somali civil wars, each clan withdrew to its respective villages, leaving Ceerigaabo nearly deserted. However, leaders from the Habar Yoonis, Habar Jeclo, Warsangali, and Dulmahante clans have worked to maintain the city’s unity. The historically significant Yube 1 and Yube 2 conferences led to harmony and peace in coexistence under a single administration.
Recent open-source intelligence suggests that the unity agreement reached 25 years ago is now threatened by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Muse Bihi Abdi with Ethiopia. This grants Ethiopia access to the seas in exchange for Somaliland’s independence, causing concern among the clans, particularly the Warsangali and Dulbahante, who are making efforts to expel Muse Bihi’s administration from their territories, similar to the events in the Sool region, particularly in Las Anod city, the region’s capital.
The current tensions in Ceerigaabo are reflected in the display of distinctive clan flags symbolizing individual identities. Despite the tension, there is still optimism among Muse Bihi Abdi’s clan members, who strive for peaceful coexistence and oppose Ethiopian interference. This hope for a peaceful future is a beacon of optimism amid the turmoil. However, the MoU has significantly impacted the pastoralists in the Sanaag region, which is known for its abundant livestock resources. The pastoralists, vital to the region’s economy, have begun to relocate due to escalating distrust, reflecting broader tribal conflicts and the far-reaching consequences of the MoU.
