Puntland State Warns Against Federal Military Recruitment in Its Territory in Somalia

AXADLE, Somalia – Puntland State Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has drawn a hard line, warning that the semi-autonomous state will not tolerate military recruitment campaigns or political meetings it считает could weaken security and administration in the territory.

His remarks came amid fresh tensions between Puntland State and Somalia’s federal government, with Lugatoor saying authorities in the northeast would block any effort to form federal military units or hold gatherings viewed as threatening to stability.

“Politicians are free to come, speak, and express opposition views, but we will not allow meetings aimed at dismantling governance or the recruitment of troops inside Puntland State,” Lugatoor said.

He said the Puntland State administration is responsible for preserving public order and security, and argued that previous incidents had shown how actions that stir unrest can quickly create instability.

The warning followed comments by Somalia’s Deputy Finance Minister Abdiqafaar Haange, who said the federal government was ready to recruit soldiers from anywhere in Puntland State and that local clans were prepared to supply fighters for federal forces.

The term-ended Somali government is accused of interference in the Federal states, with no support for Puntland State in operations against Islamic State-linked militants in the Cal Miskaad mountains of the Bari region.

According to officials, the federal government wants to undermine the Puntland State security and governance system as it has changed leadership in the Southwest state, where it installed a pro-Villa Somalia leader.

Relations between Puntland State and the federal government have grown increasingly fraught in recent years over political and security disputes, including constitutional reforms, elections, and the balance of power between Mogadishu and regional administrations.

AXADLETM