Puntland Situation Report – August 2019

“Somali Law & Policy Program
August 2019

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
   Over the course of the August reporting month, the security situation in Puntland State of Somalia
   remained relatively stable and even optimistic, although the state continued to face serious threats
   from conventional and non-conventional forces. Unprecedentedly low numbers in violent deaths
   for August signaled an improved security situation in Puntland, especially with regards to a decline
   in violent extremist activities. The cycle of attacks, mostly concentrated in and around Bossaso,
   have dropped significantly since June, giving credence to the administration’s efforts and
   community-led engagement to restore Bossaso as a center of economic activity in Somalia, and
   the wider region. Two roadside bombings in Bossaso during August indicated that IED (improvised
   explosive devices) attacks remain the foremost security threat to state forces and government
   officials in Puntland.
   Although low numbers in violent deaths in Puntland were reported, the sub-national conflict with
   Somaliland and regional fault-lines continued to intensify. Significantly, instability in the regional
   fault-lines and local/clan conflicts remained key factors that fueled insecurity, and as the month
   ended, it was unclear whether or not the government had any action plans to tackle this threat.
   Sporadic armed clashes with Somaliland forces in Sanaag region continued, exerting further
   pressure on Somaliland already facing low-intensity insurgent attacks on its forces in Sool region.
   The El Afweyn clan conflict in western Sanaag region continued to rage on and an armed skirmish
   in Sanaag region between Puntland and Somaliland forces was followed by defections of
   Somaliland forces to Puntland. Local clan conflicts in Mudug region continued to worsen, as there
   were reports of a series of revenge killings between sub-clans from Puntland and Galmudug.
   The Puntland leadership attempted to address a growing trend of local clans adopting Islamic
   Sharia Law to govern traditional justice systems. In a bid to quell the growing trend, the Puntland
   Vice President hinted at government-community dialogue process during his speech marking Eid
   celebrations in Puntland. Moreover, the justice process for the high-profile case of violent rape and
   murder of 13-year-old Aisha Ilyas concluded with the Puntland High Court upholding of murder
   convictions for three men.
   Puntland’s relations with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) remained fraught with
   disputes, with Puntland levying allegations against FGS interference in the Jubaland state
   elections. This development is significant as the two sides’ growing rift worsens, as the 2020/2021
   federal elections loom closer. Somaliland and Puntland relations fared no better, as the Puntland
   leadership vocalized contradicting perspectives towards the conflict over Sool and Sanaag
   regions. Contradiction was also a theme when the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission
   (TPEC) was appointed, as the Puntland vice president disagreed publicly with the president’s
   TPEC nominations. Furthermore, the new administration’s reform efforts to implement systems of
   integrity was tested when media reports surfaced that potentially tarnished the state’s commitment
   to public finance management. The dispute between FGS and Puntland education ministries and
   its impact on Somali students came to surface, indicating that the federal-state political dispute
   was having an adversarial effect on Somali students. Finally, Somali local airlines were focused on
   launching allegations of “unfair competition” against international airlines companies, but the local
   airlines’ shortcomings have paved the way for foreign-owned carriers to dominate the Somali
   aviation market’

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