Garowe (WDN) – Puntland’s traditional leadership has intensified its opposition to what it describes as attempts by Somalia’s Federal Government to destabilize the autonomous state, with one of the region’s most influential elders declaring that Puntland’s institutions and stability are “non-negotiable.”

Suldan Said Mohamed Garaase, a senior traditional leader in Puntland, issued a strongly worded statement affirming that Puntland’s elders are united in their determination to defend the state’s existence against what they view as externally driven efforts to undermine its institutions.

“We will not allow anyone to destroy Puntland. We are prepared to pay any price to defend it,” Suldan Garaase declared. His remarks come at a time of heightened political and security tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government, as both sides trade accusations over troop movements and alleged efforts to alter the region’s political and security landscape.

The Suldan stressed that Puntland’s traditional leadership would not accept what it sees as attempts by the Federal Government to dismantle a functioning regional administration that has enjoyed relative peace and institutional continuity for decades. He urged Puntland’s political opposition to distinguish between disagreements with President Said Abdullahi Deni and the survival of Puntland itself, warning that political rivalries should never be allowed to threaten the foundations of the state. “

The political leadership of the day and the Puntland state are not the same,” he said in essence, calling on political actors to protect the region’s constitutional institutions regardless of their differences with the current administration.

Suldan Garaase also appealed to the public to remain united and safeguard Puntland’s stability, describing unity as the region’s strongest defense against external pressures. His statement reflects what appears to be a growing consensus among Puntland’s traditional elders, many of whom have publicly rallied behind the preservation of Puntland’s institutions amid fears that the escalating dispute with Mogadishu could spiral into armed confrontation.

The intervention by Puntland’s traditional leadership comes as Garowe and other parts of the region remain on heightened alert following reports of security tensions involving forces aligned with the Federal Government. Regional authorities have accused Mogadishu of attempting to engineer instability inside Puntland through military deployments and political interference—allegations the Federal Government has not formally addressed.

With clan elders traditionally serving as the ultimate custodians of peace and legitimacy in Somali society, their increasingly unified stance significantly raises the political stakes. Their message is clear: while political differences may persist, they insist that Puntland’s institutions, security, and constitutional order must not become casualties of Somalia’s broader political disputes.

WardheerNews