In a powerful gesture of reconciliation, the governments of Somaliland and Somalia’s Puntland State completed a formal prisoner of war (PoW) exchange today — a move widely seen as a step toward easing regional tensions and promoting dialogue in the conflict-affected Sool region.

The exchange involved combatants captured during the 2023 clashes in Lasanod. Somaliland released 11 Puntland-origin PoWs, who were flown out via Hargeisa’s Egal International Airport, while Puntland handed over 15 PoWs from Somaliland in a parallel handover conducted under official supervision.

Family members gathered at arrival points in both regions, many shedding tears of relief as their loved ones returned home after nearly two years of uncertainty. The scenes were marked by raw emotion, with some relatives embracing the former detainees for the first time since the height of the conflict.

Speaking at a press briefing, Somaliland’s Minister of Justice, Yonis Ahmed Yonis, described the exchange as both a humanitarian and diplomatic milestone:

“This action reflects our government’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and reconciliation. It is also a reaffirmation of our respect for international norms concerning the treatment of prisoners of war. We believe such gestures pave the way for dialogue, stability, and lasting peace.”

In Garowe, Puntland’s Minister of Justice, Mohamed Abdi Wahaab, expressed similar optimism:

“We are pleased to see these young Somali men return to their families. This is more than a political act — it’s an expression of humanity. Today, we have taken a concrete step toward rebuilding trust and reinforcing the bonds between our communities.”

The exchange was observed by officials and carried out in accordance with international humanitarian standards. It marks the second such coordinated release of prisoners tied to the Lasanod conflict, and has been welcomed by analysts and local leaders as a meaningful confidence-building measure.

Observers note that while political tensions between Somaliland and Puntland remain unresolved, initiatives like today’s exchange could help open pathways for sustained peace talks and cross-border cooperation.

In both regions, the return of the prisoners was met not only with relief, but also with renewed calls for peace — a sentiment echoed by community elders, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens.