Northeastern State Accuses Somali Federal Government of Destabilizing Peaceful Regions
AXADLE, Somalia —
On a calm Monday night that would, in ordinary circumstances, pass without note, Northeastern State’s Minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Juha, addressed the nation with a tone of both surprise and urgency. He publicly accused Somalia’s federal government of sowing discord and disturbing the tranquility that Northeastern State had fought so hard to maintain.
“We are compelled to speak out against the Federal Government, which has lately been stirring unrest, inciting communities, and fostering instability in the peaceful regions of Northeastern State,” Juha announced emphatically in a press release. His words were pointed, his message clear.
Allegations of Instigation
Minister Juha didn’t hold back as he highlighted the actions of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration. He alleged that it orchestrated an armed conflict in the town of Dhahar, located in the Haylaan region. This provocative move, Juha claimed, resulted in unnecessary violence and tragic loss of life, lives that could have lived differently.
“This reckless act is a betrayal,” Juha continued, his voice unwavering. “A betrayal of Northeastern State’s righteous battle against terrorist threats. Groups like ISIS and al-Shabaab, who linger in the shadows of the Cal Miskaad and Calmadow mountains, are our true adversaries.” There is an implicit question here: why is the federal government diverting its attention?
International Aid Misused?
The accusations deepened as Juha pointed fingers at the financial dealings of Mogadishu. The misuse of international aid loomed large in his statement. Juha claimed that resources meant for development were instead financing armed activities in Northeastern State. This raises a poignant question—are the needs of the people being sidelined?
“Unfortunately, the federal government, having stumbled in its primary obligations, now seems to leverage international aid not as a tool for development, but as an instrument of chaos,” Juha lamented. “It’s disheartening to see funds mean for hope and growth contributing to turmoil instead.”
Historical Tensions
Tensions between Somalia’s federal government and Northeastern State have not emerged overnight. Disputes over political disagreements and constitutional reforms have brewed over the years, creating a backdrop of unease and mistrust.
Reflecting on history can sometimes offer insight. One might wonder, as the writer James Baldwin once pondered, whether understanding the past might better equip us for the future.
