Violent protests erupted in Boorama, the capital of Somaliland’s Awdal region, on Thursday evening after the Somaliland government approved the holding of the controversial Xeer Ise book fair in the town of Saylac.
The protesters, led by youth and women, reportedly injured several people, although the exact number of casualties could not be officially confirmed. The demonstrators attacked key locations, including the Central Bank headquarters in Boorama.
The youth protesters, who were quick to anger by the government’s decision, chanted slogans of anger and opposition to the Xeer Ise book fair, pelting some streets with stones and burning tires.
Police forces that arrived on the scene were seen firing in the air, while some civilians and police armored vehicles chased each other in Boorama. The exact number of casualties is not yet known.
What is the government’s decision that the public is angry about?
After days of legal wrangling, the Somaliland government announced on Thursday that the Xeer Ise event will be held in the town of Saylac on December 14, 2025, stating that all Somaliland citizens are equal in the land, and that it will not be acceptable for any particular community to claim a specific place.
The Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, who read out the decision, said that the government is responsible for security, preparation, and smooth running of the event, while the President of Somaliland is providing a peaceful environment for the communities of Awdal and Salal to strengthen trust and coexistence.
The decision came after sections of the community in the Awdal and Salal regions refused to hold the event in Saylac, claiming that the town belongs to them, which has sparked a major conflict. The government has deployed troops to the disputed areas, after youth from both sides clashed months ago.
