Gaalkacyo (WDN) – The Puntland administration has strongly opposed the federal government’s citizen registration program, which was recently launched in Gaalkacyo by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

Speaking on the matter, the Governor of Mudug region in Puntland, Faysal Sheikh Cali, firmly rejected the federal initiative, warning the residents of Gaalkacyo against participating in the program. He accused NIRA of operating outside legal and constitutional frameworks, emphasizing that its activities lack legitimacy.

Governor Faysal further stated that any individual who registers with NIRA to obtain a national identity card would forfeit their fundamental rights and Puntland citizenship status, facing legal repercussions.

“The national constitution that Somalis agreed upon has been altered and effectively discarded. Now, an institution called NIRA, based on an illegitimate constitution, has emerged, claiming to conduct a registration process. Is this even constitutional?” he questioned.

He reiterated his warning to the people of Gaalkacyo, stressing, “Anyone who participates in NIRA’s registration program will lose their fundamental rights as a Puntland citizen.”

The Puntland administration has consistently resisted federal government interventions that it perceives as undermining its autonomy. This latest dispute over citizen registration further.

WardheerNews