Lasanod Forum

Lasanod Forum is a space for ideas, and thoughtful discussions. We bring people together to share perspectives on important issues affecting Somalis.

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Opening #LasanodForum2026, Dr Adan Abdullahi Aw-Hassan, Speaker of the Northeastern State Parliament, stressed the value of forums like this in exchanging ideas, bringing perspectives together & understanding the region’s challenges.

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@SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.���

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

@AnnGarrison warns that Israeli arms & training for Hargeisa’s forces could regionalise the conflict, drawing Israel aligned Ethiopia & Kenya further in, despite opposition among their own people.

Follow & support @LasanodForum

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The Pres. of Northeastern State says the illegal MOU sought to erase the existence & political will of the North East.

He praised the Federal Government & Somali people for confronting it together, & said N.E.S. must act with unity to uphold regional peace.

@SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The Pres. of Northeastern State says the illegal MOU sought to erase the existence & political will of the North East.

He praised the Federal Government & Somali people for confronting it together, & said N.E.S. must act with unity to uphold regional peace.

@SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The Pres. of North Eastern State says the struggle for control of the Red Sea & Bab El-Mandeb is reshaping the Horn.

Driven by maritime security & the fight against extremism, these changes present both risks & opportunities for N.E. State.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Cawo A. 🛃🥷🏿 @Shabuu_II]

Caawa Garowe waxaa dhex wareegaya ciyaal TikTok iyo qadan af-balaadh iyo Soomaali-diid ay hogaaminayso; Laascaanoodna waxaa ka muuqda calanka iyo astaanta qaranka Soomaaliyeed, oo Raisal wasaare xamse magaalada dhex tamashlaynayo. Halkaas ayuu Deni Puntland gaarsiiyay. 🤷‍♀️

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The Pres. of North Eastern State says the struggle for control of the Red Sea & Bab El-Mandeb is reshaping the Horn.

Driven by maritime security & the fight against extremism, these changes present both risks & opportunities for N.E. State.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.���

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

If you joined us for the Lasanod Forum, stay connected through @LasanodForum.

Organised by @SomaliNetworkUK Follow, share and help us keep building the platform.

#LasanodForum

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Prof @HoehneVirgil recalls telling Edna Adan that he had just returned from Lasanod, where blue Somali flags challenged the claim that Somaliland had simply “reclaimed its independence” in 1991.

He says the exchange ended with him thrown out of her office.

#LasAnodForum2026

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

If you joined us for the Lasanod Forum, stay connected through @LasanodForum.

Organised by @SomaliNetworkUK Follow, share and help us keep building the platform.

#LasanodForum

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.���

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Chairman of Peace & Reconciliation Committee, Suleiman Abdi Duale, says Northeastern State needs strong financial institutions to attract diaspora investment & FDI.

Investors without direct memories of Somalia need clear protections & returns.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.���

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Asked how social media can be used positively, @MohamedHCirro says even countries with strong free speech protections struggle with its harms.

Somalia should focus on awareness & encourage social media use that supports peace & state building.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.���

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Israel’s political and increasingly military presence in Somaliland is a real risk to peace in northern Somalia.”

@HoehneVirgil warns an Israeli foothold near Berbera could bring Middle East instability into northern Somalia.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Ann Garrison argues that the more people understand Northeastern State and Somalia, the stronger belief in the idea of Somalia becomes.

Somalia stands with New York and much of the world in saying Netanyahu should not be welcome.

#LasanodForum2026 @AnnGarrison @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Ann Garrison argues that the more people understand Northeastern State and Somalia, the stronger belief in the idea of Somalia becomes.

Somalia stands with New York and much of the world in saying Netanyahu should not be welcome.

#LasanodForum2026 @AnnGarrison @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The conversations were on stage, but the forum belonged to the whole region.

Panel guests, members of the public and the President of Northeastern State at Lasanod Forum 2026.

Follow @LasanodForum for more from Lasanod Forum 2026.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The Finance Minister says Northeastern State rejected secessionism & being placed under the Hargeisa regime through words, deeds & administration.

Development and humanitarian aid intended for the region rarely moved beyond Hargeisa.

@AHHirad
#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“The reality I discovered during field research in 2002 was that Somaliland flags and number plates ended a little east of Burao. Beyond that point, blue Somali flags appeared.”

@hoehnevirgil

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

The conversations were on stage, but the forum belonged to the whole region.

Panel guests, members of the public and the President of Northeastern State at Lasanod Forum 2026.

Follow @LasanodForum for more from Lasanod Forum 2026.

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“The reality I discovered during field research in 2002 was that Somaliland flags and number plates ended a little east of Burao. Beyond that point, blue Somali flags appeared.”

@hoehnevirgil

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“The reality I discovered during field research in 2002 was that Somaliland flags and number plates ended a little east of Burao. Beyond that point, blue Somali flags appeared.”

@hoehnevirgil

#LasanodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Prof @HoehneVirgil recalls telling Edna Adan that he had just returned from Lasanod, where blue Somali flags challenged the claim that Somaliland had simply “reclaimed its independence” in 1991.

He says the exchange ended with him thrown out of her office.

#LasAnodForum2026

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Prof @HoehneVirgil recalls telling Edna Adan that he had just returned from Lasanod, where blue Somali flags challenged the claim that Somaliland had simply “reclaimed its independence” in 1991.

He says the exchange ended with him thrown out of her office.

#LasAnodForum2026

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Without good neighbourly relations with Somaliland, the idea of holding Somalia together cannot be achieved.”

@hoehnevirgil on why communication and reconciliation with Hargeisa are essential to restoring unity across Somalia.

#LasAnodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Without good neighbourly relations with Somaliland, the idea of holding Somalia together cannot be achieved.”

@hoehnevirgil on why communication and reconciliation with Hargeisa are essential to restoring unity across Somalia.

#LasAnodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Northeastern State being the glue holding Somalia together was visible even then. People were willingly making sacrifices to remain between Puntland and Somaliland in order to hold Somalia together.”

@hoehnevirgil

#LasAnodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

“Northeastern State being the glue holding Somalia together was visible even then. People were willingly making sacrifices to remain between Puntland and Somaliland in order to hold Somalia together.”

@hoehnevirgil

#LasAnodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Why Lasanod Forum?

Far too often, discussions about Lasanod have taken place outside the region entirely.

Today, those discussions are taking place in Lasanod itself.

#LasAnodForum2026 @SomaliNetworkUK

[Lasanod Forum @LasanodForum]

Highlights from Las Anod Forum 2026.

Scholars, public officials and community voices came together in Las Anod to discuss Northeastern State and the changing Horn of Africa.

A forum centred on Las Anod, Northeastern State and the region’s next chapter.

#LasAnodForum2026