Garowe (WDN) – Puntland has leveled serious accusations against Somalia’s Federal Government, alleging that Mogadishu is pursuing a campaign to destabilize the semi-autonomous state by transporting weapons into the Mudug region at a time when the country is already grappling with a constitutional and electoral impasse.

In a strongly worded statement, the Puntland administration claimed that aircraft carrying weapons had recently landed in Galkayo, describing the alleged deliveries as part of a broader effort to undermine security and fuel instability within Puntland.

The regional government warned that it viewed the reported activities as a direct threat to peace and public order, adding that it reserved the right to take whatever measures it considered necessary to safeguard its territory and population.

“Puntland remains committed to protecting the security and stability of its regions and will respond to any actions it considers interference or a threat to its security,” the administration said.

Puntland also renewed its criticism of Somalia’s broader political system, arguing that the country currently lacks a functioning and unified constitutional order. It maintained that Puntland and neighboring Jubaland are the only federal member states with fully operational institutions and functioning systems of governance.

The allegations come amid worsening relations between the Federal Government and several federal member states over disputes involving constitutional reform, power-sharing, security arrangements, and the country’s stalled electoral process.

The timing has added to growing political tensions. Somalia remains locked in a prolonged constitutional crisis, with internationally mediated negotiations between the Federal Government and opposition groups yet to produce an agreed electoral roadmap. Against that backdrop, Puntland officials argue that any attempt to introduce additional weapons or security forces into contested areas risks inflaming an already fragile political environment.

Political observers have repeatedly warned that continued disputes between Mogadishu and the federal member states could further weaken national cohesion at a time when Somalia is simultaneously confronting constitutional uncertainty, unresolved electoral disagreements, and persistent security threats from Al-Shabaab.

Any actions by the federal government perceived as unilateral military deployments or interference in regional affairs could deepen mistrust between Mogadishu and the federal member states, potentially complicating efforts to reach a national political settlement. Escalating tensions between federal and regional authorities could also have far-reaching consequences for Somalia’s federal system if left unresolved.

As of publication, Somalia’s Federal Government had not issued an official response to Puntland’s allegations, and the claims regarding the reported weapons shipments have not been independently verified.

The latest exchange underscores the increasingly strained relationship between Mogadishu and Puntland, raising fresh concerns that political disputes are spilling into the security arena at a moment when many Somalis are calling for dialogue, compromise, and constitutional consensus rather than further confrontation.

WardheerNews