GALKAYO — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Galkayo, marking his first visit to the city in nearly 20 years, as he praised the progress in security and stability while addressing a public gathering on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
The President, who travelled by road through Galmudug, visited the southern side of the city, where he was welcomed by officials.
In his remarks, President Mohamud acknowledged the significant transformation the city has undergone. He noted that when he last visited Galkayo 20 years ago, even access to clean water was a major challenge, but today the city has achieved notable progress in security and development.
“I visited Galkayo about 20 years ago, and at that time the city faced difficult conditions. Today, I see a different reality, progress, stability, and a growing sense of unity,” the President said.
He praised the efforts of the local administration and community in maintaining security and developing public services. He also noted that Galkayo is one city, though security and political circumstances have long divided it into two separate entities. He expressed optimism that the city was gradually reclaiming its unity.
The President called for strengthened peace, unity, and community cooperation so that Galkayo can benefit from development opportunities and further consolidate its security and stability.
The visit comes as Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is also in Galkayo, holding meetings and engaging with the community. President Deni had previously arrived in Galkayo to cement security control after clashes and has held talks with traditional elders from the Mudug region. The presence of both leaders in the divided city adds a layer of political significance to the visit.
Puntland had previously accused President Mohamud of arming militias and issued a formal warning to Galmudug State about the transit of military supplies intended to harm Puntland’s communities.
Deadly clashes had erupted in Gaalkacyo earlier in August when Puntland forces attacked PSF positions in eastern Gaalkacyo, with the violence following a weapons shipment that Puntland said the Federal Government had airlifted into the city’s southern sector.
A tense military standoff has also developed in the Karkaar region as Puntland forces and troops aligned with the Federal Government remain in close proximity near Xumbays, Rako-Raaxo and Kuri-laalo, raising fears of a new confrontation.
Critical Note
While President Mohamud’s visit to Galkayo and his praise for the city’s progress reflect a commitment to engaging with communities, the visit occurs against a backdrop of significant federal-state tensions. Puntland’s high alert and its warnings against the President’s visit highlight the fragility of the situation in Galkayo and the broader political rift between Mogadishu and Garowe.
The President’s optimism about the city’s unity must be viewed in the context of the ongoing political divisions that continue to shape life in Galkayo. The presence of both the Somali and Puntland presidents in the city at the same time underscores the complex governance arrangements and the need for genuine dialogue between the federal government and regional administrations to address the underlying grievances that have fuelled decades of conflict.
