GAROWE (WDN) – The Puntland administration has suspended the activities of the Horn of Africa Consultants Firm (HACOF), an NGO operating in the region, accusing it of violating local laws and maintaining unauthorized links with the Federal Government of Somalia.

Puntland’s Ministry of Planning issued the suspension order, claiming HACOF had breached NGO regulations, engaged in unlawful data collection, and contravened Puntland’s statistics law. The ministry also requested the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a full investigation into the organization’s operations.

Sources told Wardheernews that the primary concern was HACOF’s collaboration with Mogadishu-based federal authorities, a politically charged issue given Puntland’s longstanding disputes with the central government. Relations between Garowe and Mogadishu have been fraught for years, with Puntland accusing the federal leadership of undermining federalism and attempting to centralize power at the expense of member states.

This is not the first time Puntland has taken action against NGOs linked to Mogadishu. In the past, several aid organizations and consultancy firms were either suspended or subjected to tighter scrutiny after being accused of bypassing Puntland’s government structures and working directly with federal ministries. Authorities in Garowe argue that such arrangements weaken local governance, compromise accountability, and politicize development aid.

The move against HACOF comes at a time of heightened tensions between Puntland and the federal government, following disagreements over constitutional reforms, resource management, and the distribution of international aid. Puntland’s firm stance reflects not only political rivalry but also its determination to assert sovereignty over its governance systems, especially in the areas of planning, data management, and aid coordination.

HACOF has not yet responded publicly to the suspension order. However, the NGO, which has worked across multiple Somali regions, is expected to issue a statement in the coming days.

For many observers, the dispute underscores the broader challenge of state-building in Somalia, where the relationship between the federal government and its member states remains fragile and deeply contested.

WardheerNews