Puntland today officially handed over to Somaliland 15 prisoners captured during the fighting in the Sool region in 2023.
Puntland’s Minister of Justice, Mohamed Abdi Wahaab, who spoke to the media, said that Puntland also handed over 11 prisoners previously captured by Somaliland, who were also captured during the fighting in the same region.
“Today, we handed over to the Somaliland government 15 prisoners who were captured during the fighting in the Sool region in 2023. Somaliland, on its part, handed over to the Puntland government 11 prisoners who were previously captured during those fighting,” the minister said.
The minister described the move as important to strengthen peace, trade, brotherhood and social integration between the two sides.
“This is a positive step towards peace cooperation. It is heartening that Somali boys who have been in prison for two years are now free and reunited with their families and loved ones,” he added.
This prisoner exchange marks the second time that prisoners captured during the Lascaanod fighting have been exchanged.
The SSC Khaatumo administration has not yet commented on the prisoners exchanged between Puntland and Somaliland today. It is also worth noting that the prisoners being released from Somaliland do not include prisoners from SSC Khaatumo.
