Africa-Press. Authorities in the Puntland region of Somalia have announced that they are no longer part of the Somali army until a comprehensive agreement is reached with the federal government regarding contentious issues related to state structure and the security sector.
The decision came after a government meeting chaired by Puntland President Said Abdullah Deni in the capital, Garowe, which focused on the security and political situation in the state. The authorities decided to suspend their participation in the national army until all points of contention with the central government are addressed, particularly the mechanism for building the armed forces at the federal level.
The Puntland presidency confirmed that it has instructed all its security institutions not to allow any forces or vehicles not belonging to regional agencies to remain or move within the state’s territory without local authorities’ approval. This decision reflects rising tensions between Garowe and Mogadishu amid increasing disagreements over constitutional amendments and the distribution of powers between the federal government and member states of the Somali union.
Earlier, the Puntland president announced that he does not recognize the legitimacy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arguing that the recent constitutional amendments approved by the federal parliament were made unilaterally and lacked broad national consensus. These developments come after months of political and security tensions between the two sides, which included limited armed confrontations between state forces and federal troops, raising concerns about deepening divisions within the Somali state.
Observers believe that Puntland’s decision represents a new challenge for the federal government at a time when the country faces complex security challenges, notably the war against Al-Shabaab, in addition to ongoing disputes with the Somaliland region, which continues to seek recognition of its independence.
In recent years, disagreements between the regional government and the federal government have escalated regarding the sharing of powers, resources, and constitutional amendments. The latest decision comes as Mogadishu seeks to restructure security institutions and strengthen central state authority, while some states insist on their extensive powers within the federal system.
