Mogadishu, Somalia – Ali Abdullahi Osoble, a former President of HirShabelle State, has launched a scathing attack on Puntland’s leader Said Abdullahi Deni, accusing him of jeopardizing Somalia’s sovereignty and national security by allegedly allowing a foreign military base to operate in Puntland.
In a fiery media address delivered on Monday, Osoble alleged that Deni granted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) access to a military base in Puntland which was reportedly used in airstrikes targeting Sudan.
“This is not a political disagreement. This is a national security emergency. Tomorrow Deni could launch an attack on Mogadishu,” said Osoble.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately investigate Deni’s alleged collaboration with foreign powers, calling for the Puntland President to be tried as a “national threat” under Somali law. Osoble emphasized that such actions undermine the fragile unity of the federal republic and violate the country’s constitution.
The federal government has not officially commented on Osoble’s claims. Puntland authorities have previously defended their cooperation with the UAE as part of broader security and economic partnerships, though the specifics of any military agreements remain opaque.
This accusation comes at a time of growing tensions between Somalia’s Federal Member States and Mogadishu, as debates over decentralization, foreign military involvement, and constitutional reform continue to divide the political landscape.
Political analysts warn that such public accusations, if not addressed through institutional mechanisms, could inflame inter-regional mistrust and derail ongoing efforts toward national reconciliation and federal unity.