Garowe (WDN) – In a dramatic turn of events that underscores the deepening political tensions in Puntland, traditional elders from the Nugaal region on Tuesday publicly presented camels to the Danab Special Forces stationed at the Lilge military base outside Garowe, in what observers described as a powerful gesture of solidarity with the unit.
The elite force is commanded by Gen. Jimale Jama Takar, who was recently appointed by the Federal Government of Somalia as commander of the Somali National Army’s 54th Division covering Puntland—a move strongly opposed by the Puntland administration.
According to sources familiar with the developments, the elders’ visit followed the collapse of mediation efforts aimed at resolving the dispute between the Puntland government and Gen. Jimale. The mediation reportedly failed after no compromise could be reached with President Said Abdullahi Deni’s administration.
Sources involved in the mediation claimed that the elders concluded Gen. Jimale had shown willingness to engage, while they saw little flexibility from the Puntland side. Following the failed talks, they decided to publicly demonstrate their support for the Danab forces, arguing that the unit had been unfairly drawn into the political dispute.
The symbolic donation of camels is widely viewed in Somali culture as a significant expression of respect, solidarity, and public endorsement. The political fallout reportedly extended to the Puntland Presidency later on Tuesday.
Sources said President Deni summoned several senior government officials from the Nugaal region to an emergency meeting at the presidential palace, where they were subjected to sharp criticism over what he viewed as their inability to maintain political support within their home region.
Among those reportedly attending the meeting were Health Minister Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, Interior Minister Abdi Hirsi, the Governor of Nugaal Region, and several directors-general from government ministries. According to individuals briefed on the meeting, President Deni expressed frustration that influential elders from Nugaal had openly aligned themselves with the Danab forces instead of supporting the Puntland administration.
The Governor of Nugaal was reportedly singled out for particularly strong criticism, with the President allegedly questioning his effectiveness and asking why regional elders had not rallied behind the government.
The sources further claimed that the Health Minister also received a stern rebuke, with President Deni reportedly expressing dissatisfaction with his political influence within the region. WardheerNews has not independently verified the remarks allegedly made during the closed-door meeting.
The meeting reportedly ended in an atmosphere of tension, with participants leaving amid visible frustration. Sources indicated that government officials are now planning to organize a public gathering in the coming days in an effort to demonstrate support for the Puntland administration and ease growing concerns within the Presidency over shifting political loyalties in Nugaal.
The latest developments highlight the increasingly complex political landscape in Puntland, where tensions between the regional administration and the Federal Government continue to reverberate through both political and traditional leadership structures.
WardheerNews