Garowe (WDN) – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has entrusted traditional elders from the Nugaal region with what many observers describe as one of the most consequential mediation efforts in Puntland’s recent history, warning that the future stability of Garowe may hinge on their ability to reach an agreement with General Jimcaale Jama Takar.
According to sources familiar with the closed-door meeting held on Monday evening, President Deni presented the elders with two options that he wants them to convey to General Jimcaale in an effort to avert a potentially dangerous security confrontation in the Puntland capital.
The first option would see General Jimcaale abandon his reported alignment with the Federal Government and instead accept the post of Commander of the Puntland Darawish Forces, bringing his military influence under Puntland’s command structure.
The second option would require the general to relocate outside Garowe and establish himself in one of three designated locations—Dangorayo, Kalabayr, or Rabaable—thereby easing what Puntland authorities view as an increasingly sensitive security situation in the capital.
Addressing the elders, President Deni reportedly underscored that Garowe occupies a unique place in Puntland’s political and constitutional order.
“Garowe is the capital. Let Jimcaale leave it for me. We cannot coexist in the city if he remains here with federal forces. His presence in Garowe would effectively mean that Puntland’s entire capital is under federal control. I have no objection to federal troops being stationed elsewhere, but the capital is different—it is of vital importance,” Deni reportedly told the delegation.
The urgency surrounding the talks reflects painful memories that continue to haunt Garowe. In early 2023, the city descended into fierce armed confrontations involving forces led by General Jimcaale, transforming normally peaceful neighborhoods into battlegrounds. The violence claimed the lives of around 30 people, left many others wounded, and inflicted lasting psychological and economic scars on Puntland’s capital.
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the fighting shattered investor confidence in what had long been regarded as one of Somalia’s safest and fastest-growing cities.
Many prominent business leaders and affluent families chose to leave Garowe in the aftermath, relocating to Kenya, Türkiye, and other destinations abroad. At the same time, prospective investors and families considering moving to Puntland largely abandoned their plans, bringing the city’s rapid economic growth to an abrupt halt.
Although Garowe has gradually recovered from the violence, residents and business leaders fear that another round of conflict could erase years of reconstruction and permanently damage the city’s reputation as Puntland’s political and commercial hub.
Political analysts warn that renewed instability would not only threaten lives but could also trigger another wave of capital flight, business closures, and population displacement.
“If Garowe experiences another urban conflict, the consequences would extend far beyond the battlefield,” one regional observer said. “It could reverse decades of development and reduce the city to a shadow of the thriving capital it has worked so hard to become.”
Elders Carry the Weight of Peace
The responsibility now resting on the shoulders of Nugaal’s traditional elders has taken on extraordinary significance. Widely respected for their ability to mediate complex clan and political disputes, the elders are expected to engage directly with General Jimcaale in hopes of securing a peaceful resolution before tensions escalate further.
The elder’s success—or failure—could have profound implications not only for Garowe but for Puntland’s broader political stability. With emotions running high and both political and military stakes increasing, many residents are hoping dialogue will prevail over confrontation.
For now, Garowe waits anxiously, aware that the outcome of these delicate negotiations may determine whether the city continues on its path of recovery and development—or risks reliving one of the darkest chapters in its recent history.
WardheerNews