By Horn Africa News
Mogadishu — Somalia’s Federal Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has firmly criticized Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, accusing him of pushing divisive policies that threaten national unity and undermine the core principles of federalism.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mogadishu, Minister Fiqi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a cooperative federal system — a governance structure designed to unify rather than divide the Somali people. He warned against the misuse of federalism by regional states to weaken the authority of the central government.
“Federalism is a system of governance, not a weapon to fragment the Somali people,” Minister Fiqi stated firmly.
His comments come in response to recent actions by Puntland authorities, who claimed to have seized a vessel carrying heavy weapons off the region’s coast. Puntland officials alleged that the ship entered Somali waters unlawfully and raised concerns about the legitimacy of its cargo.
Minister Fiqi, however, dismissed these claims, asserting that the ship was operating legally and had been authorized to pass through Somali waters. He described Puntland’s seizure of the vessel as a direct challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty and national cohesion.
“It is disgraceful to portray a legally operating ship as a war prize. This reflects the dangerous politicization of national security,” Fiqi remarked.
The dispute has added fuel to the ongoing tensions between the federal government in Mogadishu and the semi-autonomous Puntland state. Political rifts have deepened in recent months amid broader concerns about security instability, electoral disputes, and the future of Somalia’s federal arrangement.
The Defence Minister’s strong rebuke signals growing frustration within the central government over Puntland’s actions, which Mogadishu views as unilateral and potentially destabilizing. Analysts warn that such incidents could further erode trust between the federal government and member states at a time when the country faces multiple internal and external challenges.
