Federal Government Accused of Politicizing Somali Unity Amid Rising Tensions With Regional States

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LAAS CANOOD, Somalia — (GO) Criticism is growing against Somalia’s Federal Government over claims that it is politicizing the issue of national unity, a matter that analysts say has increasingly become a political tool used by Villa Somalia in its disputes with some of the country’s federal member states.

The inauguration ceremony expected to take place in the city of Laas Canood is set to bring together senior federal officials, including members of the Council of Ministers and security officials, particularly from the National Intelligence and Security Agency. Sources said the Federal Government has engaged in political and financial mobilization to project its political and security presence, especially in relation to the Puntland administration, a move that many observers have described as politically provocative.

According to sources who spoke to Garowe Online, security personnel identified as members of the Federal Government’s forces have been brought in from various areas of Puntland to take part in securing the planned event. The deployments have fueled debate over the underlying objectives of the federal authorities’ actions in the region.

“From what is visible, federal leaders are seeking to demonstrate in Laas Canood that Somalia remains unified, but it appears they are using this effort as part of a political confrontation with some of the regional administrations,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has about four months remaining in his current term, has faced criticism for not initiating a comprehensive national dialogue on the country’s future electoral framework. The criticism comes as relations continue to deteriorate between the Federal Government and several federal member states.

In a separate development, a recent meeting in the southern city of Kismayo, attended by representatives from Puntland, Jubaland and opposition political figures, issued a communiqué calling on the president to convene a national consultative meeting by Jan. 20. The statement warned that failure to do so could prompt the groups to organize a conference aimed at preventing what they described as a potential constitutional vacuum.

The Federal Government has also recently scaled back its engagement with the United Arab Emirates, a move that sources say has affected development projects at the ports of Bosaso, Kismayo and Berbera. At the same time, federal authorities have entrusted the management of the Port of Mogadishu and Aden Adde International Airport to Turkish companies with close ties to the government.

Somalia continues to face overlapping security challenges and political disputes, while broader geopolitical tensions are adding to the complexity of the situation. These dynamics have intensified following reports that Israel has recognized Somaliland, a development that has sparked renewed debate over its potential impact on Somalia’s diplomatic and political landscape.

Garowe Online will continue to monitor developments and responses from the various political stakeholders across the country.