MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A senior Puntland official has accused Somalia’s federal government of working in concert with the militant group Al-Shabaab, in the latest escalation of tensions between Garowe and Mogadishu.
Speaking at a public event on Monday, Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mohamud Aidid Dirir, questioned why federal forces had failed to defeat the group despite enjoying what he described as considerable military capacity. Dirir cited the government’s stated force of 80,000 soldiers, in addition to more than 10,000 African Union AUSSOM peacekeepers and a combined 15,000 Ethiopian and Kenyan troops present under bilateral agreements.
He argued that Al-Shabaab continues to operate in areas without difficult terrain typically favourable to guerrilla warfare, claiming this raised questions about the government’s effectiveness and intentions. Dirir presented no evidence to support his assertion that the two sides “work together”.
The remarks add to a series of outspoken statements by the minister. In recent weeks, he publicly questioned the religious credentials of Somalia’s president and alleged – again without providing evidence – that a Somali security officer driving a government vehicle carried out a suicide attack last month on an intelligence compound that includes a maximum-security underground prison. He claimed the incident demonstrated that Al-Shabaab had infiltrated state institutions.
The federal government has not yet commented on the latest allegations.
Relations between Puntland and the federal authorities have been strained for years, with disputes over power-sharing, resource control and the constitutional framework fuelling repeated political confrontations. Both sides have recently intensified their rhetoric, with little sign of a breakthrough or renewed dialogue.
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