Somalia - December 2022

Anti-government protests have resulted in multiple fatalities in Las Anod, Somaliland (a region of Somalia which claims independence). The demonstrations, which lasted several days, began on 29 December after the assassination of a local political figure by unidentified assailants. The city saw a heavy presence of Somaliland’s security forces, who fired live ammunition as they attempted to break up the demonstrations. Around 21 people were shot dead by security forces. The leader of Puntland (a Somali state that has also claimed independence), President Said Abdullahi Deni, has released a statement regarding the events in Las Anod. He accuses the Somaliland army of committing brutal attacks on civilians. Puntland has also deployed troops to the area of Las Anod. 

Sources: Crisis24, Ahram Online, The Peninsula, allAfrica, Africa Confidential