Historic Somaliland Peace Rally in London Attracts Thousands, Including Jeremy Corbyn
Rally for Somaliland: Thousands Gather in London to Advocate for Peace and Raise Awareness of Las Anod Rebellion
Robleh Mohamud Raghe
March 19, 2023
Thousands of British Somalilanders gathered outside 10 Downing Street on Saturday (March 18th), standing in solidarity with their nation, raising awareness of the rise of terrorist groups in Las Anod and condemning aggression from neighbouring Somalia. British Somaliland communities from Greater Manchester, Leicester, Cardiff, Bristol, Sheffield, Coventry, Birmingham, and Northampton all came together for this historic rally.
The significance of this peace rally lies in its ability to bring international attention to the ongoing conflict in Las Anod where the Somaliland Army has been facing a series of surprise attacks from a coalition of armed groups and militias led by the Puntland Regional Administration of Somalia. Furthermore, the conflict has been exacerbated by the infiltration of terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Shabab, who have established a presence in Somalia’s Puntland Region and are now exporting their influence to Las Anod, Somaliland. This rally aims to pressure both local and international actors to take decisive action to bring peace and stability to the region.
The presence of Jeremy Corbyn, former UK Labour Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition of the United Kingdom from 2015-2020, added weight to the rally, as he waved the Somaliland flag alongside British-Somalilanders, showing his support for their cause. His participation has brought even more attention to the situation in Las Anod and the need for a peaceful resolution.
The events in Las Anod have far-reaching implications not only for Somaliland but also for the greater Horn of Africa region, where other countries such as Ethiopia are also grappling with the threat posed by terrorist groups. The rally serves as a powerful call to action for the international community to support Somaliland and other countries in the region in their efforts to combat terrorism and secure lasting peace. The unity displayed by British Somalilanders from different parts of the UK is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Somaliland people in their pursuit of a peaceful and stable homeland.
Robleh Mohamud Raghe is a writer, analyst, marketing executive, and former communications aide to the 4th President of Somaliland, Ahmed Silanyo. You can follow him on Twitter at @RM_Laf. For news tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out at [email protected]