International partners losing confidence in Villa Somalia, says Puntland minister

GAROWE, Somalia – Puntland's Minister of Information, Mahmoud Aydid Dirir, said that international partners are increasingly losing trust in Villa Somalia [Somali State House] and the top leadership of Somalia’s federal government, amid growing concerns over governance and intelligence failures.

Dirir stated that international stakeholders had become disillusioned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration and were now hesitant to share sensitive security intelligence with Mogadishu.

"Every day, the international community expresses concern over Hassan Sheikh. They say they regret supporting him and are ready to move on. He is no longer trusted, especially in matters of intelligence and security," the minister said.

In contrast, Dirir highlighted that Somalia’s key security partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, had developed growing confidence in Puntland's counter-terrorism efforts—particularly its ongoing campaign against ISIS militants in the mountainous regions of northeastern Somalia.

"The international community, including the UK and the US, now sees Puntland as a credible and reliable partner in the fight against global terrorism. Just the other day, you saw American aircraft air-dropping food supplies to Puntland troops stationed on one of the highest mountains," he added.

Puntland has long defended the constitution of Somalia and often expresses skepticism toward federal authorities in Mogadishu, particularly over power-sharing, security coordination, and international engagement.

GAROWE ONLINE