DHUSAMAREB — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a high-level delegation have arrived in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State, where he was warmly received by Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor), federal and regional officials, and community representatives.
The President’s visit focuses on strengthening federal government efforts to build and enhance the Somali National Army, with the President expected to attend a ceremony marking the graduation of SNA troops trained for counter-terrorism operations. During his stay in Galmudug, President Mohamud will also inaugurate development projects across the region, which are part of broader plans to accelerate public services and economic infrastructure.
The visit comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Galmudug. 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.
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.” The administration has also expressed gratitude to the Galmudug administration and residents of southern Galkayo for their role in preserving peace and for blocking what it described as “planned attempts” by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to create instability in the city.
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. The council warned that any effort to disarm federal-aligned forces without broad community consensus could lead to further conflict and instability.
Critical Note
While President Mohamud’s visit to Dhusamareb is framed as a developmental and security-focused trip, it occurs against a backdrop of significant political tensions in Galmudug and broader federal-state relations. 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 dispute over security appointments and the federal government’s heavy-handed approach to regional politics risk exacerbating tensions and undermining the fragile gains made in stabilising central Somalia. 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.
