Puntland and Federal Government Near Armed Conflict

MOGADISHU – Somalia’s federal government and the northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland are moving closer to a potential armed confrontation as competing military deployments intensify, raising fears that a long-running political dispute could turn into open fighting.

Puntland authorities have sent additional troops to major cities and bolstered security forces at checkpoints outside Bosaso, Garowe, and Galkayo, marking a sharp rise in tensions between the regional administration and the federal government in Mogadishu.

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, reaffirming its authority over security issues within its jurisdiction. The decision followed a cabinet meeting chaired by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and attended by Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor.

Federal Troops and Pay Disputes Fuel Mistrust

The expanded deployments follow orders for Puntland security forces to stop federal troops, who maintain bases in several towns across the region, from moving between Puntland’s main urban centers. The decision reflects deepening mistrust, with regional officials accusing Mogadishu of seeking to use federal forces to weaken security inside Puntland.

Tensions have further escalated following reports that federal funds were distributed directly to specific troops deployed within Puntland. These units were historically part of the Puntland military but were subsequently integrated into the Somali National Army (SNA). Puntland’s Presidential Security Advisor disclosed that there are currently 1,376 soldiers stationed within the state whose salaries are financed directly by the federal government. State officials allege that the purpose of these payments is to bypass Puntland’s command structure, creating a force that undermines the state’s security autonomy.

Puntland President Accuses Federal Government of Destabilization

Puntland President Saeed Abdullahi Deni recently accused the federal government of carrying out military maneuvers intended to destabilize the region. He also alleged that authorities in Mogadishu have armed and backed pirates whose activities have resurged along Puntland’s coastline in recent months.

In his sharpest attack to date, President Deni accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of creating armed pirate groups, dismantling the country’s federal system, and destabilising regional administrations across Somalia. Addressing the opening of Puntland’s parliamentary session in Garowe, Deni said the federal government had abandoned the power-sharing model that supports Somalia’s federal structure and was instead pursuing policies designed to centralise authority in Mogadishu.

Deepening Rift Between Garowe and Mogadishu

Regional officials have urged the international community to restore the arms embargo on Somalia, which was lifted in late 2023. They say heavy weapons acquired by the federal government since the embargo ended are being used against federal member states to weaken Somalia’s federal system and concentrate authority under a more centralized government.

Deni has accused Villa Somalia of attempting to “monopolize power” and push unilateral constitutional amendments without consensus from federal member states. He has also warned that policies purportedly backed by allies of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud threaten to fracture Somalia regionally. In March, Puntland authorities alleged that the federal government had purposefully failed to support the region’s military campaign against ISIS militants and had even blocked injured fighters from receiving medical treatment in Mogadishu.

Federal Appointments and Military Buildup

The latest escalation comes days after the federal government appointed Gen. Jimale Jama’ Takar, a former Puntland military commander who recently led forces aligned with Mogadishu, as commander of the Somali National Army’s 54th Division. Gen. Jama and several other military commanders are currently in Mogadishu for talks with federal authorities and are expected to return to Puntland in the coming days with additional weapons and equipment meant to reinforce federal forces stationed in the region.

The developments have increased fears that rival forces inside Puntland could clash at any moment. President Deni has instructed regional forces to maintain heightened readiness and prepare for potential military action by the federal government, warning against a repeat of the scenario that led to the ousting of South West State leader Abdiasis Laftagareen. He has accused President Mohamud of attempting to consolidate power and dismantle the federal system that has governed Somalia for more than two decades.

Residents Fear Being Caught in Crossfire

Residents in Puntland’s major cities have increasingly felt the effects of the rival military buildup, with growing concern that they could be caught in the crossfire if tensions between Puntland and the federal government escalate into violence.

The standoff marks one of the most serious episodes in the long-running dispute between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland, renewing concerns about security, political stability, and the future of relations between Mogadishu and one of the country’s most influential federal member states as military deployments continue on both sides. Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has stated that the state’s security focus is shifting toward “defense” against political interference, declaring that “this year, we will concentrate intensely on defense.”