PUNTLAND — Authorities in northeastern Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on Thursday explicitly accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of arming clan militias to destabilize and undermine the regional administration. The explosive claim arrives as a widening dispute over constitutional amendments and upcoming elections continues to severely strain relations between Mogadishu and regional leaders.
Accusations of Sabotage and Denied Support
Faysal Ali Jifo-Jabsade, the Puntland governor of the Mudug region, stated that the federal government had purposefully failed to support Puntland’s ongoing military campaign against ISIS militants operating in the Al-Miskad mountains. According to the governor, the president not only declined official requests for assistance during the offensive but also actively blocked injured regional fighters from receiving critical medical treatment in the capital.
Jifo-Jabsade alleged that some wounded personnel were systematically denied the passports needed to travel abroad for specialized treatment, while others were explicitly refused admission to hospitals in Mogadishu by federal authorities.
The regional official went further, alleging that President Mohamud anticipated ISIS would overwhelm Puntland forces, thereby triggering the collapse of the regional administration. He noted that this outcome did not materialize and affirmed that Puntland would continue autonomously sustaining its fight against insurgent groups.
The Deepening Constitutional Standoff
These severe accusations come as political tensions rapidly escalate between Mogadishu and Puntland. The regional administration has firmly aligned itself with a powerful coalition of political stakeholders known as the Somali Future Council. The group vehemently opposes the federal government’s recent constitutional amendments, echoing warnings from former national leaders that the new constitution poses a threat to Somalia’s unity.
Furthermore, the coalition has publicly warned of potential instability over alleged plans to extend the federal government’s mandate, leading to growing opposition fears regarding increased military presence in Mogadishu.
This escalating standoff unfolds as the legal terms of Somalia’s federal government and parliament are set to expire within weeks, profoundly deepening uncertainty over the country’s fragile political transition and the lawful conduct of its upcoming elections.
