MOGADISHU – Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has accused unnamed politicians of opposing Somali unity and “imprisoning” communities in the areas where they operate, in remarks delivered at the closing ceremony of Independence Week in Mogadishu.
Speaking at the event, which marked the end of the 66th anniversary commemorations of Somalia’s independence and unification, the Prime Minister also defended the federal government’s right to pay and promote Somali soldiers who had been neglected by previous administrations.
“There are politicians who oppose the Somali people coming together, who have turned the areas they control into prisons for the people living there. Since when did it become a crime for the Somali government to pay and promote a Somali soldier who had been abandoned by those who locked them in those areas?” Barre said.
Prime Minister Barre had earlier established the national organising committee for the Independence Week celebrations, assigning it responsibility for inter-agency coordination, budget management, and security arrangements at venues across the country.
Context of the Remarks
The Prime Minister’s comments come amid deepening political tensions between the federal government and several federal member states, particularly Puntland, over the presence of federal troops and the broader political standoff.
The Puntland government has announced that it will not allow troops associated with the Federal Government of Somalia to be stationed in or move through Puntland territory, a move that has intensified the standoff between Mogadishu and Garowe.
Tensions have further escalated following reports that federal funds were distributed directly to troops deployed within Puntland, with Puntland officials alleging that the payments are intended to bypass the regional command structure.
Call for National Unity
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Somali people had sent clear messages through the Independence Week celebrations that they are united and will not accept external interference, division, or fragmentation.
“We are one united people. We will not accept division or fragmentation,” Barre said.
He urged the Somali people not to be swayed by politicians seeking to divide the nation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to national unity and the protection of Somali sovereignty.
President Mohamud has previously urged unity on the 66th Independence Day, describing the occasion as a time for Somalis to set aside their differences and work together to rebuild the country.
Way Forward
The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect the federal government’s growing frustration with regional administrations that oppose its policies and the deepening political divide that continues to challenge Somalia’s federal stability. As the country navigates its political transition, the call for national unity and the defence of federal authority are likely to remain central themes in the government’s public messaging.
