By Horn Africa News
HARGEISA – The body of senior police officer Ahmed Hussein Cadib was discovered yesterday inside a hotel in Hargeisa, authorities reported, sparking security concerns and heightening tensions between Somaliland and neighboring Puntland.
Police said Cadib had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, indicating he was deliberately targeted. An initial investigation confirmed that the officer was shot, though the circumstances leading to the killing remain under review.
The Somaliland administration quickly issued statements linking the killing to Puntland’s intelligence services, describing the incident as “a premeditated act organized from across the border.” A government spokesperson in Hargeisa claimed that intelligence reports suggested foreign interference connected to Puntland, and emphasized that such actions are “beyond the norms and ethics that govern relations between regional administrations.”
In response, Puntland authorities swiftly rejected the accusations. The Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) released a formal statement late last night, asserting:
“Puntland’s security agencies do not engage in assassinations or planned killings. We maintain close cooperation with security institutions in the region, including Somaliland. There is no reason that justifies targeting individuals or administrations.”
The murder has sent shockwaves through both the security apparatus and the political landscape of the region. Analysts warn that the incident could strain already delicate relations between the two administrations, which have a history of disputes over territory and security.
Police in Somaliland have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with forensic teams examining the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. Meanwhile, residents of Hargeisa expressed deep concern about public safety, noting an increased sense of unease in the capital following the killing.
The identity and motives of the perpetrators remain unknown, and authorities have yet to announce any arrests. The incident underscores persistent challenges in regional security coordination and the fragile nature of inter-regional relations in northern Somalia.
