Garowe (AX) — In a striking display of regional autonomy, Northeastern State has decisively rejected a federal initiative aimed at centralizing the registration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and coupling humanitarian aid with a nationwide system. This move, they argue, could destabilize Somalia’s already delicate federal structure and risks politicizing the very relief efforts that are meant to provide support to the most vulnerable.
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The backdrop to this conflict consists of recent discussions involving the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). During these meetings, federal officials proposed intertwining the distribution of humanitarian aid with a centralized database for IDPs. Northeastern State’s leadership has responded vocally, denouncing what they perceive to be an obvious overreach by the federal government, and claiming it infringes upon the rights and authorities of regional states.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Northeastern State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management expressed profound apprehensions about these federal discussions. “The Northeastern State Government expresses deep concern over efforts to unify IDP registration and link humanitarian assistance to federal databases,” the ministry stated firmly. “This move violates the autonomy of federal member states and threatens to politicize aid distribution.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the essence of autonomy that many regional leaders hold dearly. After all, when political agendas seep into humanitarian aid, who truly suffers?
Northeastern State officials, aptly aware of the complex dynamics at play, insist that humanitarian assistance should be an untainted reflection of need, rather than a political pawn. “Aid should not be used as leverage. It must remain neutral, impartial, and independent,” they declared, highlighting that communities in conflict zones often rely on responses tailored to their specific needs—responses that regional governments are often better positioned to provide.
As the political landscape evolves, Northeastern State’s leadership argues that these proposed changes blatantly disregard the Provisional Constitution, established with the intent of preventing the concentration of power in Mogadishu. The Northeastern State administration has raised the alarm, warning that centralizing these responsibilities would effectively dismantle the federal framework that was painstakingly constructed in 2012.
“We call on all partners to uphold the integrity of aid and respect the role of federal member states in managing displacement and emergency relief,” they emphasized. This plea isn’t just a political statement; it’s a rallying cry for the international donor community and humanitarian organizations to recognize the importance of local governance in crisis response. After all, isn’t it the voices closest to the ground that resonate with those enduring the crises?
The struggle for power within Somalia’s federal system is a tale as old as time, marked by conflicts over resource allocation, security coordination, and governance authority. Northeastern State, one of Somalia’s most established federal states, has stood at the forefront of these disputes, often wrestling with the central government over perceived encroachments on its autonomy.
Moreover, the Northeastern State administration asserts that the federal ID initiative lacks both legal backing and transparency. Labeling the program as “politically driven,” the Northeastern State Ministry of Interior cautions that it poses a significant threat to the region’s autonomy. This underscores the complexity inherent in political maneuvering where the stakes are the very lives of displaced populations.
In a bold counteraction to the federal proposal, Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni took matters into his own hands on April 9, issuing a decree that established the Northeastern State Identification Authority (PID). This new body will issue ID cards entirely independent of NIRA, reinforcing Northeastern State’s stance against what it views as an overreach of federal authority. In a realm where trust is crucial, actions often speak louder than words.
Yet, the federal government is not backing down. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has put forth a compelling argument for the ID rollout, asserting that it is vital for enhancing national security and rebuilding public trust in government institutions that have suffered from years of instability. Earlier this month, he called for all government agencies to adopt ID requirements for accessing essential services such as healthcare and education.
Underpinning this initiative is a $10.5 million partnership with NADRA, Pakistan’s biometric agency, aimed at issuing 15 million biometric IDs ahead of Somalia’s landmark 2026 elections. During an era where trust is scarce, could these IDs serve as a stepping stone toward meaningful governance and societal cohesion?
The ID cards have been dubbed a pivotal element for facilitating Somalia’s long-awaited one-person, one-vote elections, a scenario not witnessed since 1967. While NIRA insists there is no explicit connection between the ID rollout and electoral processes, regional leaders remain apprehensive. The timing, they argue, is too synchronized with voter registration initiatives, raising eyebrows about the federal government’s underlying motivations.
In this ongoing saga, the question lingers: can Somalia navigate the treacherous waters of centralization and federalism to cultivate an atmosphere where humanitarian efforts thrive untainted by political strife? The answer remains as complex and multi-faceted as the nation’s history itself.
Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
