MOGADISHU — Somali scholar and political analyst Faysal Abdi Roble has criticized calls to prevent Federal Government forces from operating in Puntland, arguing that national security forces have the right to be present across Somalia’s federal member states.
Speaking on the ongoing debate over the role of federal forces in Puntland, Roble compared the situation to Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, saying it would be unacceptable for a regional leader to demand the withdrawal of Ethiopian federal troops from Jigjiga.
“What if Mustafe says Ethiopian forces cannot stay in Jigjiga? It would be wrong for Said Deni to say Federal Government forces cannot stay in Puntland,” Roble said.
His remarks come amid continued political and security tensions between Puntland authorities and Somalia’s Federal Government over issues including security command, federal authority, and the role of national forces in regional administrations.
Puntland has repeatedly emphasized its responsibility for maintaining security within its territory, while the Federal Government maintains that national forces have a constitutional role to operate throughout Somalia when necessary.
The debate highlights broader disagreements within Somalia’s federal system over the balance of power between the central government and member states, particularly regarding control and deployment of security forces.
