Garowe (WDN) – Puntland has significantly escalated its political and security confrontation with the Federal Government of Somalia, announcing sweeping measures that bar federal officials from entering its territory and outlaw the recruitment and movement of armed groups linked to Mogadishu.
In a strongly worded statement, Puntland’s Ministry of Security declared that individuals holding positions within the Federal Government will no longer be permitted to enter Puntland through its airports, border crossings, or other points of entry.
The administration also banned the recruitment of militia forces within Puntland and prohibited the movement of armed technical vehicles and irregular fighters operating outside Puntland’s security framework. The measures mark a new phase in the increasingly strained relationship between Garowe and Mogadishu. Puntland officials argue that the decisions are necessary to safeguard regional stability, constitutional autonomy, and public security amid what they describe as growing federal interference in local affairs.
The statement further warned against meetings, gatherings, or political activities deemed harmful to Puntland’s constitutional order, stressing that authorities would take action against any individual or group accused of undermining the administration. The announcement builds on Puntland’s earlier decision to prohibit the presence and movement of Federal Government military forces within its territory. This latest directive goes a step further by extending the restrictions to federal officials originating from Puntland, effectively barring them from entering the region by air or land.
The move highlights the widening political divide between Puntland and the Federal Government, a dispute rooted in longstanding disagreements over constitutional reforms, power-sharing arrangements, resource management, and security policy.
Former Puntland Finance Minister Hassan Shire Abgaal questioned the wisdom of the restrictions, pointing to the economic contribution made by federal security personnel stationed in Puntland. “When the salaries of Federal Government soldiers enter the city, business activity increases, livelihoods improve, debts are repaid, restaurants become busier, and service providers see more customers,” Abgaal said.
According to Abgaal, federal payrolls generate a significant ripple effect in local economies by boosting commercial activity and increasing the circulation of money within communities hosting federal forces. Meanwhile, presidential adviser and businessman Jaamac Dhega Dheere delivered a stern warning to Puntland’s political opposition, describing the region’s security as a “red line” that must not be crossed. His remarks came amid accusations by Puntland authorities that certain opposition figures have been recruiting fighters for forces aligned with the Federal Government inside Puntland. Those allegations have intensified concerns that Somalia’s political disputes are increasingly spilling into the security arena, raising fears over the emergence of parallel armed structures operating beyond Puntland’s chain of command.
As tensions continue to rise, observers warn that the dispute between Puntland and Mogadishu is no longer confined to political rhetoric. With competing security interests, allegations of militia recruitment, and growing restrictions on federal officials, the standoff is evolving into one of the most serious confrontations between Somalia’s federal center and one of its most influential member states.
For now, Puntland’s leadership appears determined to hold its ground, arguing that protecting regional security and political autonomy outweighs the need for accommodation with Mogadishu. Whether the latest measures pave the way for dialogue or deepen the divide remains to be seen.
WardheerNews