President Said Abdullahi Deni’s recent admission of his administration’s failure to prevent ISIS from entrenching itself in the Calmiskaad mountains marks a rare moment of accountability in Somali politics. While critics may seize on this confession as a weapon, Warsame Digital Media commends President Deni’s candour. Transparency, however, must now translate into action. Puntland’s security crisis—compounded by ISIS’s expansion and Al-Shabab’s persistent threat—demands not just acknowledgement of past failures but an unwavering commitment to dismantling extremism through decisive leadership, and systemic reform.

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A Rare Admission of Accountability

In a political landscape where leaders often deflect blame, President Deni’s acknowledgment of negligence is a watershed moment. His willingness to confront uncomfortable truths should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness. Opposition groups must resist the temptation to weaponize this admission for short-term gain. Instead, Puntland’s political class should unite to address the existential threat posed by ISIS, whose foothold in the Bari Region underscores the fragility of the state’s security apparatus. Accountability, after all, is the cornerstone of public trust. Deni’s candor offers an opportunity to rebuild that trust—but only if matched by tangible results.

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The ISIS Threat in Context

The rise of ISIS in Puntland cannot be divorced from the broader instability plaguing Somalia. While Al-Shabab remains the dominant extremist force nationally, ISIS’s encroachment into Puntland reveals vulnerabilities unique to the region. The Calmiskaad mountains, with their rugged terrain and limited state presence, have long been a haven for illicit activities. However, the administration’s focus on quelling political violence in Bosaso and Garowe, coupled with the resource drain of Somalia’s contentious federal elections, left critical security gaps unaddressed. This underscores a recurring challenge: the tension between Puntland’s autonomy and its interdependence with Somalia’s fractured federal system.

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Beyond Bullets: A Strategy for Sustainable Security

Military operations alone will not eradicate extremism. ISIS and Al-Shabab thrive on governance vacuums, economic despair, and communal grievances. To dismantle their networks, Puntland must pursue a dual strategy:

1. Targeted Military Campaigns: Collaborate with federal and international partners to disrupt ISIS strongholds, leveraging intelligence-sharing and specialized forces.
2. Root-Cause Solutions: Invest in community-driven development, job creation for disillusioned youth, and equitable resource distribution. Marginalized communities in areas like Bari are fertile ground for recruitment; empowering them undermines extremist narratives.
3. Institutional Reform: Strengthen local governance, judiciary systems, and security forces to restore public confidence. Corruption and inefficiency within state structures have historically fueled resentment.

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The Federal-Regional Tug-of-War

Puntland’s security challenges are exacerbated by Somalia’s fractured federalism. The federal government’s preoccupation with Mogadishu-centric politics—exemplified by the drawn-out presidential elections—has diverted attention and resources from regional crises. For Puntland to succeed, Mogadishu must prioritize equitable resource allocation and genuine collaboration, rather than treating federal member states as peripheral concerns. Conversely, Deni’s administration must avoid insularity; security in the Bari Region is not just Puntland’s problem but a national emergency.

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Conclusion: From Words to Action

President Deni’s admission is a starting point, not an endpoint. The true test lies in his administration’s ability to translate accountability into outcomes. Puntland’s people deserve a future free from the shadow of extremism—one built on justice, opportunity, and resilient institutions. This will require bold leadership, bipartisan cooperation, and a rejection of the short-termism that has plagued Somali politics for decades.

The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.

Warsame Digital Media urges all stakeholders—from Garowe to Mogadishu—to prioritize the collective security of Somalia over partisan interests. Only then can the Calmiskaad mountains and the nation itself be reclaimed from the grip of terror.

The perception of Turkey as an existential threat to Somalia’s survival as a united sovereign state stems from complex regional rivalries and internal divisions exacerbated by foreign interference. Let us dive into these geopolitical issues:

1. Turkey’s Expanding Influence

• Military Presence: Turkey operates its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, trains Somali troops, and provides security support. While this strengthens the federal government, it risks creating dependency and centralizing power, alienating regional states.
• Economic and Political Engagement: Turkey invests in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, fostering goodwill. However, critics argue such ties could lead to debt dependency or unequal agreements, potentially undermining sovereignty.

2. Regional Rivalries and Proxy Dynamics

• Turkey-Qatar vs. UAE-Ethiopia:
  • Turkey and Qatar back the Somali federal government, aligning with President Mohamud’s administration.
  • UAE and Ethiopia support regional actors (e.g., Somaliland, Puntland) and oppose centralization, fueling federal-state tensions. UAE’s port deals in Somaliland (Berbera) and Ethiopia’s historical interventions exacerbate fragmentation risks.
• Egypt’s Role: Egypt counters Ethiopian influence (e.g., Nile River disputes) by supporting Somalia, adding another layer to the regional power struggle.

3. Internal Divisions

• Federal vs. Regional Tensions: Foreign backing deepens mistrust between Mogadishu and regional states. For example, Somaliland’s UAE ties and Puntland’s resistance to central authority challenge unity.
• Proxy Conflicts: Competing foreign agendas risk turning Somalia into a battleground, destabilizing governance and empowering factions that prioritize external interests over national cohesion.

4. Existential Risks

• Sovereignty Erosion: Overreliance on external actors weakens domestic institutions. For instance, Turkey’s military role may overshadow Somali-led security solutions.
• Fragmentation: External support for secessionist movements (e.g., Somaliland) or autonomous regions threatens territorial integrity. The UAE-Ethiopia axis vs. Turkey-Qatar-Egypt rivalry could Balkanize Somalia.

Counterarguments and Nuances

• Stability vs. Dependency: Turkish aid has provided critical infrastructure and counterterrorism support, which some Somalis welcome. The threat lies not in Turkey alone but in uncoordinated multipolar interference.
• Somalia’s Agency: Somali leaders navigate these rivalries to secure resources, but internal corruption and governance failures also contribute to vulnerability.

Conclusion

Turkey’s role is part of a broader pattern where regional powers exploit Somalia’s fragility for strategic gains. The existential threat arises from the cumulative effect of competing foreign interests fragmenting national unity, undermining state-building, and perpetuating dependency. Somalia’s survival as a united state depends on balancing external engagements with inclusive governance and reducing elite reliance on foreign patrons.