HARGEISA — Somaliland’s Interior Minister has said that Somaliland and Puntland cooperate on a range of security matters, including intelligence sharing, exchanging information on potential threats and coordinating the return of individuals suspected of criminal or security-related activities.
The minister said security authorities on both sides maintain channels of communication and share information when they identify individuals, movements or activities considered potential threats to public safety.
According to the minister, the cooperation includes sharing intelligence on security threats, exchanging information about suspects and facilitating the return of individuals between areas administered by the two sides.
The comments are significant given the longstanding political and territorial disputes between Somaliland and Puntland, particularly over contested areas in northern Somalia. Despite these disagreements, the minister indicated that security concerns can provide an area for practical cooperation.
Security coordination is particularly important in areas where communities have close social, economic and family ties. Authorities in the region face a range of challenges, including militant activity, organised crime, weapons trafficking, illegal movement and other cross-border security threats.
The minister’s remarks suggest that security officials can maintain communication even when political relations remain tense. Such cooperation could allow the two sides to exchange early warnings, track individuals considered security threats and respond more quickly to emerging risks.
However, the minister did not provide specific details on the number of suspects returned, the frequency of intelligence exchanges or individual cases involved in the reported cooperation.
The comments come amid continued disagreements between Somaliland and Puntland over territorial control, political authority and security responsibilities, particularly in disputed areas.
Despite these broader political differences, the reported cooperation indicates that Somaliland and Puntland may continue to coordinate on security issues where they share common interests.
