DHUSAMAREB — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has attended a ceremony in Dhusamareb marking the 20th anniversary of Galmudug State’s establishment, celebrating the progress made in the region while also addressing the ongoing challenges facing Somalia’s federal system.
The ceremony, which took place in Galmudug’s administrative capital, was attended by federal ministers, members of parliament, Galmudug officials, and community leaders. It commemorated two decades since the founding of Galmudug, one of Somalia’s federal member states that was established on August 14, 2006 .
A dangerous political rift has emerged between President Mohamud and his intelligence chief, Mahad Salad, over who will lead Galmudug. The dispute became public when Salad decided to contest the presidency of Galmudug, directly opposing the federal government’s preferred candidate, Liban Ahmed Hassan.
The political standoff has been further complicated by disagreements over political guarantees, electoral neutrality, and regional autonomy. A delegation of senior politicians and former lawmakers recently returned to Mogadishu after several days of inconclusive meetings in Dhusamareb with President Qoor-Qoor.
The Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) recently inaugurated its regional headquarters in Dhusamareb, marking a significant step in the party’s efforts to expand its presence across Somalia’s federal member states. The party has designated Liban Ahmed Hassan as its sole candidate for the Galmudug presidency.
President Highlights Progress in Galmudug
In his address, President Mohamud praised the people of Galmudug for their unity and efforts to develop their region, noting that the situation in Galmudug today is vastly different from previous years when the region experienced state collapse and prolonged governance vacuums.
He recalled that when he previously visited Galmudug, there were significant challenges in governance and security, but today there is a visible transformation resulting from the efforts of the government and the people. He stated that Somalia is on a path of progress, with state institutions being rebuilt, security being strengthened, and public services being expanded.
The President warned that the greatest enemies of Somalia remain Al-Shabaab and ISIS, though he noted that these groups have significantly weakened compared to their past strength. He said the government continues its efforts to eliminate armed groups and that security forces have achieved successes in operations against both militant organizations.
He also noted that progress in security has made it possible to hold major events in areas that were previously insecure, demonstrating the improvement in stability and governance.
Puntland on High Alert Over President’s Visit
President Mohamud’s visit has drawn a sharp response from the Puntland administration, which has placed its defence forces on high alert and issued a stern warning against what it described as a planned visit by the “former Federal President” to the southern, Galmudug-controlled side of Galkayo.
In a statement from the Puntland Presidency, the regional administration alleged that President Mohamud is “still engaged in organising conflict against Puntland” and that his planned visit to Galmudug is intended to “create unrest and conflict” in Galkayo, a city that has gradually recovered from years of instability.
“The Puntland government is closely monitoring the planned activities being organised by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and warns against the travel plan of Hassan Sheikh to the southern part of Galkayo in Galmudug State,” the statement read.
Puntland has consistently argued that President Mohamud’s term expired on May 15, 2026, a position reflected in the statement, which referred to him as a “former president.”
Tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government have been escalating for months, with Puntland sending additional troops to major cities and barring federal-linked troops from moving through its territory.
The Puntland Political Council has also called for a negotiated resolution to the escalating tensions in the Kodmo area of the Karkaar region, where Puntland forces and troops aligned with the Federal Government have been in a standoff since early August.
Critical Note
While the 20th anniversary celebrations of Galmudug’s founding represent a significant milestone, the ceremony takes place against a backdrop of deepening political tensions. The federal government’s decision to designate a single candidate for the Galmudug presidency has bypassed internal party competition and set the stage for a critical confrontation in the central region. The growing rift between the President and his intelligence chief, Mahad Salad, over who will lead Galmudug reflects deeper fractures within Somalia’s federal system.
The Puntland administration’s high alert and warnings against the President’s visit further highlight the volatility of the current political landscape. Both sides must exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to prevent a return to the violence that has plagued Galkayo and the wider region in the past. The people of Somalia, who have endured decades of instability, deserve leaders who prioritise peace and reconciliation over political rivalries.
