Puntland’s Security Crisis Deepens as Unpaid Troops Paralyse Trade Route Near Bosaso

BOSASO – Armed soldiers from Puntland’s Afmeer Brigade have shut down the vital Bosaso–Garowe highway in the Faluuja area of the Carmo district, bringing public and commercial transport to a halt in protest over four months of unpaid salaries.

The troops, who withdrew from frontline positions in the Calmiskaad mountains approximately a week ago, have stationed themselves along the key trade route with military vehicles and heavy weapons. An eyewitness told Raxanreeb Online that the soldiers are demanding immediate payment of their wages and other financial entitlements, which they say have been delayed for several months.

The road serves as a critical link between the port city of Bosaso and other regions of Puntland, and the blockade has severely disrupted the movement of passengers, traders, and goods. The soldiers have stated that the road will remain closed until the Puntland administration addresses their grievances. As of now, Puntland’s senior military commanders and government officials have not issued a public statement regarding the protest or the closure.

The Bosaso port, which serves as the economic lifeline of Puntland, has been shut for 11 days amid a dispute between DP World and local traders, further compounding the economic disruption in the region.

A Recurring Crisis of Unpaid Wages

The protest is the latest in a series of salary disputes that have plagued Puntland’s security forces. The Afmeer Brigade’s withdrawal from the Calmiskaad frontlines came after months without pay, leaving the troops in a state of deep frustration. This incident mirrors similar protests in the past, where security personnel have blocked roads and government facilities to demand payment.

The salary crisis is further complicated by the presence of soldiers stationed within Puntland whose salaries are financed directly by the federal government, a move that regional officials allege is designed to bypass Puntland’s command structure and undermine its security autonomy.

Economic and Security Implications

The blockade of the Bosaso–Garowe highway poses a significant threat to Puntland’s economy. Bosaso port is a crucial hub for trade, and the disruption of this key artery has halted the movement of cargo trucks carrying essential goods. Traders and local residents fear that a prolonged closure could lead to shortages and price hikes.

Traders have refused to accept new charges imposed by the Dubai-based DP World, which they described as excessive and incompatible with the economic realities of the region. The port remains closed, paralysing trade and raising concerns about supply shortages.

The financial strain on Puntland’s administration is evident, with a 32.4% budget shortfall reported for 2026, raising serious concerns about the impact on public services, infrastructure projects, and civil servant salaries.

Federal-State Tensions and Way Forward

The incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating political and security tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia. Puntland has barred federal-linked troops from its territory, and the federal government has continued to pay soldiers recruited in the region, deepening the rift.

Puntland has formally rejected the federal government’s decision to cancel the Bosaso Port Development Project, a multi-million dollar upgrade managed by UAE-owned DP World, declaring the move “null and void” within its jurisdiction.

The Bosaso port was previously ready for an upgrade after DP World signed an agreement with Puntland, but the ongoing disputes have stalled progress and raised doubts about the long-term viability of the company’s presence in Bosaso.

As the Afmeer Brigade’s protest enters its second day, the pressure is mounting on the Puntland administration to resolve the crisis. The longer the road remains closed, the more severe the economic and security consequences will be. Without swift intervention, the standoff risks further destabilising an already fragile region.