Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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The deterioration of Puntland security conditions

By Yusuf Adan Ahmed

Abdiwali_puntland
Abdiwali Mohamed Ali, the president Puntland

Puntland was established in 1998 as an autonomous state in Somalia. Local politicians, members of civil society and clan leaders had decided not to wait any longer for a functioning central government in Mogadishu and they set up their own regional administration. Puntland is located on the northeast of Somalia and has a large and wider area with a population of more than 4 million.

Puntland has so far remained a largely peaceful place, at least compared to the war ravaged south. The state provides basic but essential governance services. The economy is recovering and the Port of Bossasso has become a major regional trading hub. There are several UN agencies, other NGOs operating in Puntland, and also the European Union. The United Nations is the biggest donor in Somalia and has a liaison office in the region.

In January 8, 2014, the Puntland Parliament elected Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas, former Prime Minister of Somalia, as the region’s new president by one vote. Since then, Puntland’s stability has remained fragile, poverty has risen, security forces remain weak and poorly paid, and corruption is rampant. Clan power struggles also persist, criminal networks and terrorists attack at will, and the Puntland security forces in Garowe, Galgala, Galkacyo and Bosaso often operate freely. Moreover, Al-Shabaab fighters have become a powerful presence in the region.

The security of Puntland worsened after Dr. Gaas came to power. Dr. Gaas sacked most of the top security officials in the region and instead appointed some of his closest allies from abroad who have no experience in security and governance matters, not to mention Puntland as a region.

Recently, the UN’s compound in Garowe was attacked by Al-Shabaab leading to the killing of more than 8 U.N workers and the wounding of dozen others. Since then, there has been no investigation of the terror act.

Two days ago, a member of the federal parliament was assassinated in Galkacyo, where the Puntland reconciliation conference will take place next month despite the fragile nature of security there.

Corruption prevails in many sectors of the administration, including the security forces, public service employees, and ministries. Lack of resources and the government’s inability to pay salaries provide incentives for extortion and bribery. Security forces tend to sell their equipments as substitute for their salaries.

The commercial hub of Puntland, Bossasso, has become the epicenter of terrorist attacks in the region, where Al-Shabaab elements revamp their operations every two days. Poor political vision, weak leadership and lack of proper decisions by the current president of Puntland are possible causes of the rampant insecurity and instability in the region.

What happened three weeks in Garowe, the capital of Puntland, regarding the killing of U.N staff, will send a clear signal to the international community, local people and neighboring countries that the region is on the verge of security meltdown.

In order to achieve a full comprehensive security and development progress in Puntland, it is very important for all security institutions to be reformed and an effective, viable policy implemented.

Trafficking of teenagers

Insecurity has had devastating effects on the region and it has shattered the lives of young people. Many have been forcibly recruited into clan-based militias and separated from their families. These young recruits have remained unemployed for so long such that their traditional livelihoods have been disrupted. Their future is uncertain and it is leading to hopelessness as they travel in the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life.

Yuusuf.Adan.Ahmed
Email:[email protected]


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