According to the Centre, the violence erupted on the night of 4 December 2025, after residents of Borama began demonstrating in response to the government’s reversal of an earlier decision to suspend the Xeer Ciise festivities planned to be held in Saylac. Many protesters opposed the staging of the event and gathered to voice their concerns.

Eyewitness accounts and video evidence reviewed by the Human Rights Centre indicate that security forces used excessive force, including firing live rounds such as AK-47s into crowds of demonstrators. The organisation further reported that the military had been deployed inside the city and was directly involved in quelling the protests.

"It is shocking to see the military deployed in the city and using force against civilians. In a democracy, you do not use such force to tackle demonstrators, even if they start rioting,” said Yasmin Omar Haji Mohamoud, Chairperson of the Human Rights Centre.

In a speech delivered on Friday, the president confirmed that military units had indeed been deployed in Borama and announced that he had ordered their withdrawal from the streets.

The Human Rights Centre has called on the Somaliland government to immediately end the use of excessive force against civilians and to safeguard citizens’ right to peaceful expression. The organisation also urged authorities to launch an independent investigation into the events in Borama and ensure full accountability for all those responsible.