There are five things that make the residents of Puntland State troubled now:
Severe drought, following failure of two consecutive seasons;
Unprecedented inflation. Skyrocketing prices beyond the reach of ordinary people;
Impending violence and armed confrontation to follow current military standoff in the Port-city of Bosaso. Keen observators notice slow preparations for war to resolve leadership contest between Puntland State leadership, particularly the President, on one side, and the revolt and mutiny led by PSF/Boqor Burhan of Bari Region, on the other. Each side sees no alternative to fighting it out, an unprecedented development, given the fact that Puntland regions were famous for traditional mechanism for conflict resolution. This is caused by the fact that neither side recognizes the other for its leadership role. Hence, many residents see no way out of Bosaso standoff, with increased likelihood of violence, displacement and great harm to Puntland peace and Stability ;
Stalled municipal elections, following the win of opposition parties in the poll in all three pilot elections in the districts of Uffayn, Qardho and Eyl in a back-to-back setting with the Federal Elections. This has been further exacerbated by the defeat of Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni, in the Federal Presidential Race in Mogadishu. Stalled elections in Puntland is another dangerous layer of instability.
Titled traditional elders have been steadily losing their moral authority as they melted into political sides at all levels of Somali administrations – thus the demise of traditional SELF-GOVERNMENT known for this part of Somalia.
Puntland House of Representatives is now showing signs of life to challenge the Executive Branch after two decades of slumber. Observers say it is too little too late. Nevertheless, it is never too late to save what remains of Puntland. Good luck!
Recently I bought a few cans of green beans from a seemingly premium grocery shop in Garowe. Shortly after, I removed the label paper from one of the cans bought to find out the container is covered by rust. You can guess it was dangerous goods not even fit for animal consumption.
I do recall that Puntland State had had all laws in place, mostly issued by the First House of Representatives from 1998. Moreover, Puntland Constitution stipulates that, in the case that there were no particular Puntland legislation, the State draws it from 1960 Somali Constitution.
Under Puntland municipality laws, expired and banned products shouldn’t be on sale. Markets, shops, groceries and restaurants are subject to regular checks for violations. These are all drawn from public policy, evaluation and implementation. Does Puntland have Publicpolicy?
Under existing Puntland laws, there are huge industrial products banned to import through ports of entry. A plastic bag is among them, for example. These laws are collecting dust in the shelves of Puntland public institutions. One cannot export breeding herds as well as sick ones to protect our livestock markets. The list of banned import/exports is long and exhaustive. They require enforcement and seriousness to protect public health. Sometimes, one is tempted to ask the question: Whose countryis this? Remember, Somali State had failed in 1991 when no one could claim it during the reign of General Siyad Barre. Every national used to wake up in the morning and hit the road to steal, loot and bribe for their own selfish gains until the whole public system had collapsed. Have we learned anything?
According to residents and eyewitness reports, the Red Sea Port City of Bosaso is coping with uneasy peace as two opposing Puntland forces are facing each other, each one monitoring the other as who would start shooting first. In the mix, are Bari clans and subclans getting ready for the next clashes by stockpiling arms and ammunition. Certain quarters of the Port City are no go at night. Regional authorities are worried and their security resources are no match with the arsenal of the confronting forces there. City commercial activities are greatly impacted and there is capital flight to Hargeisa and Mogadishu. Consumer confidence is at lowest level amid insecurity, worsened by high inflation on basic goods and energy.
Puntland Government shows no signs of urgency to seriously address and fundamentally resolve the impendimg security crisises in Bosaso and Galkayo. It looks that the recent Federal Elections had taken life and initiative out of current Puntland political leadership. The situation is worsened by confusion and news blackouts. Nobody knows what is happening in Puntland. Leadership is reportedly isolated. Titled traditional elders are either compromised, absent from the country or part of the insecurity in Bari and Mudugh.
Barring effective government intervention, Puntland stability enjoyed for a long time in the past could be in jeopardy.
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At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia paid a two-day Official Visit to Kenya from 15th – 16th July 2022. The two Heads of State held bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Friday 15th July, 2022. Their Excellencies the Presidents were accompanied by Senior Government Officials from both countries. H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and at the same time lauded the people of Somalia for a peaceful election and transition. The two Heads of State led their delegations in high-level bilateral talks, which reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, with emphasis on strengthening the existing bilateral ties between the two countries. In this regard, the two Presidents:
Emphasized on the importance of cordial bilateral relations, bonds of heritage and shared destiny that exists between the people of Kenya and the people of Somalia, which are defined by a common desire for peace, stability, prosperity and respect for the sovereign and territorial integrity of both Kenya and Somalia.
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Reaffirmed the shared commitment of the two countries to work together on areas of mutual interest and to deepen bilateral relations.
Towards this end, the two Presidents recommitted to the fight against terrorism, and in order to ensure success, directed the security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their efforts in this fight to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of both countries, while upscaling the fight against terrorism.
Agreed that Kenya and Somalia will collaborate with other regional and international actors to provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance to mitigate the effects of the current drought in the Horn of Africa region.
Further agreed that the Kenya Airways (KQ) scheduled flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be reviewed by the relevant Authorities.
Further agreed, to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Directed the immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to Kenya and vice versa, the resumption of trade in Khat (miraa) from Kenya to Somalia, to resume with immediate effect.
Further Directed the relevant agencies to implement the issuance of Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis, on arrival, for Dignitaries, Senators and Diplomats who hold Diplomatic Passports and a Note Verbale from the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs. For holders of Somali Service Passports, Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis on arrival will be issued within Forty – Eight (48) hours, after completion of Online Visa Application accompanied by a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
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Further underscored the need to process visas for holders of ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten (10) working days.
Agreed on the opening of the border between the two countries in order to ease the movement of people and enhance trade in goods and services.
Directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) between Kenya and Somalia be convened in Mogadishu in August 2022 to discuss and agree on matters of mutual interest such as joint security activities, defense, agriculture, trade, intelligence exchange, health, education, training in various fields, and continuous review of the visa regime.
Directed the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to ensure the implementation of the issues agreed upon by the two Presidents within two (2) weeks from the date of this Joint Communique. Issued in NAIROBI. Date: 15th July 2022 ……………………………………… AMB. MACHARIA KAMAU, CBS ………………………………………………. H.E. AMB. MOHAMED ALI – NUR HAGI PRINCIPAL SECREATRY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
Same forces are involved in this violence. External political forces are added to the mix and initiated this confrontation. The State President is absent from the scene of action. Puntland officials were caught by surprise, they reported- no prior information was available to them on the trip of a Federal delegation to Bosaso. At least 16 persons have lost their lives in the crossfire, according to preliminary reports. Bari traditional elders complain about turning away airborne federal officials from Bosaso Airport and aid handouts they were carrying, instead of lives lost in this renewed violence in Bosaso. Nobody is talking about the existence of rogue Puntland forces there. Puntland State political uncertainty continues. This looks like waning days of Garowe Regime. Inside observers are worried and extremely concerned about Puntland Stability.
Various sources of information including satellite imagery now suggest this increased partnership may be starting to take shape. In this blog post, I will summarize some aspects of the relationship between the United States and Somaliland and explain why I think this cooperation may be taking shape.
Americans and Somalilanders inside an aircraft shelter at Berbera Airport, Somaliland, 12 May 2022. In the middle are U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend (camouflage uniform) and Larry E. André Jr. to his right. Video capture.
US AFRICOM, Berbera and Somaliland
Overview of Somaliland, Somalia, Djibouti and the Gulf of Aden.
31 years ago, Somaliland broke away from Somalia and claimed independence. Even though it is a de facto state, independence was never recognized by the international community, including the United States.
According to Foreign Policy, a Somaliland delegation visited the United States in March 2022, lobbying the United States to recognize Somaliland. Although Washington made clear they were unwilling to recognize their independence, they did signal that they would like to deepen ties with Somaliland.
On 12 May 2022, a United States delegation visited Somaliland’s capital city Hargeisa, followed by a visit to Berbera, located on shores of the Gulf of Aden. I previously looked into this visit to Berbera. Besides a description of the visit, the thread attached to the tweet below contains more information about the history of the airport, so just click on the post in order to read it.
On the day of the visits, a United States Marine Corps (USMC) KC-130J reg. 169533 was tracked flying over Somaliland, including a landing and take-off at Berbera. This same KC-130J can also be seen in video footage made at the airport.
According to US AFRICOM, the meetings focused on “mutual benefits from closer U.S. cooperation with Somaliland authorities”. They add that a cooperation between “[US] AFRICOM and Somaliland’s military and coast guard will advance shared interests in regional stability, protecting vital trade routes”.
A BBC article summarizes some of the reasons why Berbera is of interest to the United States. First and foremost the airport is located on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, a major shipping route. Furthermore, it “is close to some of the world’s most unstable places, including Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia, which has been a key US ally in the ‘War on Terror’ but is now wracked by internal conflict.”
The United States currently have a large military presence at Camp Lemonnier, which is located just south of Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti, sharing a runway. According to US AFRICOM, Camp Lemonnier “provides, operates and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness and security of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel for regional and combatant command requirements; and enables operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African Nation relations”.
In recent years, Djibouti has seen an increased presence of Armed Forces from around the globe, including Japan, France, Italy and most importantly China: a Chinese Naval Base is located only about 10 km from Camp Lemonnier. In 2018, there were multiple instances of Chinese lasers interfering with U.S. military aircraft.
Berbera is located about 230 km southeast of Djibouti, and would offer more space and privacy for United States military operations. The United States already recognized the benefits of Berbera in 2021: In Aug 2021, a 50-person US AFRICOM survey team visited Berbera for inspection and “consult[ing] with relevant authorities”, a recent (Jun 2022) United States National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) report states. In Dec 2021, a U.S. Congress delegation also visited Somaliland, including Berbera.
According to this recent NDAA report, the U.S. Secretary of Defense should provide a report containing “recommendations for expanding the security partnership with Somaliland and its potential contributions to U.S. military objectives in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region”. This report is to include “a range of areas for possible cooperation, including port access, military training, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing that can promote regional stability, enhance maritime and border security, and assist in deterring the trafficking of humans, wildlife, weapons, and illicit goods”
From all of this, it becomes very clear that the United States is showing great interest in Berbera Airport.
Recent developments
According to a Berbera News report dated 04 Jul 2022, American troops have taken full control of security at the airport. According to the report, all Somaliland staff has been sent on a 12-day holiday, and “the UAE official1 at Berbera Airport returned home”. They add that “a number of military planes” landed at Berbera on 03 Jul 2022, followed by “a large number of US planes” on 04 Jul 2022.
I have not yet been able to find evidence that these flights did actually take place. It is possible that U.S. Military aircraft would not be using ADS-B, or not even using Mode-S, for the short flights from nearby Camp Lemonnier to Berbera. This would make the flights invisible to the general public.
However, there are indeed signs for recent activity at Berbera Airport. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery shows that something was constructed on Berbera’s main apron in the period following 21 Jun 2022.
A closer look at this structure (using SPOT satellite imagery, dated 05 Jul 2022) reveals that this consists of four shelters or canopy buildings, perhaps similar to those of HTS Tentiq, each at a size of 20 x 25 m, or 20 x 100 m in total. Two more new and unidentified structures are located some 300 m further Southeast.
At this point in time, it remains unclear by whom and for what purpose these structures were created. However, they first appear around the same time American presence at Berbera Airport was confirmed.
Conclusions
The United States and Somaliland are developing increasingly close ties. These ties are relevant to Somaliland in their strive for international recognition of their independence. The United States on the other hand may be looking for a new base on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, to serve as a potential future alternative for the increasingly crowded Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport and Camp Lemonnier.
In the past week, unconfirmed news reports claim multiple flights to Berbera Airport and claim American presence at Berbera Airport. These claims have not yet been proven. However, they do coincide with newly developed structures identified at the airport, seen on satellite imagery. At this point in time, it remains unclear why and by whom these new structures were developed.
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SLOW UNFELT POLITICAL CHANGES IN SOMALIA TAKING ROOT
In Mogadishu, the capital, one would note a fledgling government in operation with Villa Somalia 🇸🇴 receiving foreign dignitaries, rudimentary public institutions taking shape, world diplomatic community bringing their credentials to a Somali President. Federal Member States seem to be recovering from the onslaught of Farmajo regime and Houses of Parliament, the Upper House, in particular, has gained constitutional recognition following the fall of Nabad & Nolol anti-federalism campaign.
Despite population pessimism and cynicism that things are getting worse, one could say that there is a light at end of the tunnel that Somalia’s better days are ahead and coming up.
Somalia shares some problems with the rest of world like high energy prices and shortages of food and bottle-necks in supply chain. Severe drought is the most concern now due to failure of successive rainy seasons, combined with centuries old poor management of livestock resources and uninnovative nomadic existence of the bulk of Somalia’s population. Environmental degradation is one of the biggest calamities Somalia faces today. It is mostly man-made and partially out of ignorance and lack of protection. This has to change.
Absence of work ethics and lack of understanding of putting work hours into everyone’s daily business is another chronic issue in the way towards progress in this country. Trying to short-cut required hard work is another critical issue. Encouraging and learning the skills needed here for Somalia’s self-reliance is fatally absent. Somalia has become a Gulf state without the power of petro-dollar in terms of native population’s disability to fully participate in nation-building. Here national leadership to inspire the nation into reaching new heights towards progress is badly needed.
I think the reason is more out of traditions than personal convictions. For example, the New Year Eve is more celebrated in Europe, particularly in Russia and East European countries than their own respective national days, while Christmas 🎄 Eve is the day to look for by all family members in Western Europe and the Americas. But, that doesn’t mean that they put less importance to national days
Here in Somalia, since the overthrow of the civilian government by the Military in 1969 and rise of Islamist and secessionist groups, national holidays like the Independence Days of June 26 and July 1st are slowly fading in significance in the minds of the general public. The unilateral declaration of secession by Somalia’s North West Regions plays out in this mix. Instead, religious celebrations are becoming the only unifying factor, along other Islamic countries, marking these dates not only in faith, but also in continued tradition. When any nation collectively succeeds in the removal of foreign colonial yoke, gratitude to Allah is as important as repentance. If someone is not noting personal or national successes, certainly he or she isn’t appreciative of the blessings of Allah – and this could be interpreted as less faithful.
In the case of Somaliland, not marking June 26 would mean ignoring the sacrifices by hundreds of thousands of its people who fought against British repressive forces in Hargeisa, Berbera, Burco and other towns in the North West Somalia. It is extremely unfair not to acknowledge those who lost their lives to gain their freedoms from a colonial power, which was on the brink of even ceding Hargeisa and Zeilac like Haud and Reserved Area to the Emperial Ethiopia just before Independence. Unfortunately, today in Somaliland there are quite a few, who feel nostalgic about old colonial days of occupation as a result of indoctrination against Somali unity. Bad and unwise leaders bring about similar legacies.
Elections have consequences, and this is true to Puntland State as well. The defeat of President Said Abdullahi Deni in the recent Somalia’s presidential race in Mogadishu had impacted negatively not only on the president, but also on the entire Puntland administration and political system as a whole, including the planned one person one vote forecasts, whereby there is diminished political will to go ahead despite the pronouncements that he was committed to implementing the project of holding municipality elections.
Although President Deni has never been accused of being open to the general public and even to members of his own administration in his closed poor policy of running Puntland affairs, he is now more isolated than ever before. Nobody knows what he has been doing lately, other than he was often traveling overseas solo without any prior public announcement and any attempt to justify his over-rated trips to foreign cuntries, in particular, to Dubai and Nairobi.
Members of Puntland Cabinet are as disillusioned as the general public.The representatives of the House of Puntland Parliament are restless nowadays, only to reject the submitted list of the composition of Puntland Supreme Court by the President. The list was intended to fill in a long-time existing vacuum in Puntland judiciary. The President has used veto, however, to override the House Resolution by re-submitting the same list to the House to reconsider it at next session.
Political opposition in Puntland is slowly getting assertive following the defeat of Deni in the Federal elections, including the betrayal by his own hand-picked and funded MPs from Puntland and Jubaland.
There is anxiety and political uncertainty now in the State that worries everyone. To get out of this dilemma, Puntland political elites must get serious to embark upon political path of democratization and general elections as the only remaining option to govern.
The wedding ceremony for Ms Suban Hussein Khalif Haji Jama Attosh and Mr Qalib Barud, hailing from Majertaine and Dhulbahante respectively was held in Beerta Barako at 22 Km off Garowe City yesterday afternoon. Eminent traditional leaders from both Harti subclans were present to give their blessings to this important traditional event. A dozen of Puntland Cabinet ministers were invited, among many prominent personalities in the crowd. Someone was wondering why Puntland President wasn’t there too.
This event attended by people of diverse political opinions and travelling from different regions and even from continents makes one wonder why they couldn’t put their acts together to liberate and unify Puntland regions, some of which are still occupied forcefully by Somaliland Administration in Hargeisa.
Yesterday’s spirit of union in attending this family event is a clear demonstration that Somalis care more about their family relations in inter-clan marriages than defending their own territories and securing their freedoms. Generally, this could be true for Somali clans, who raise livestock and inhabit in semi-desert, keen to forge ties with other clans because of scarcity of water and grazing areas for their herds, just in case these relationships would bring benefits when desperately needed.
Certainly, yesterday’s wedding ceremony for Suban and Qalib was well attended.
According to the people in the know, Somali Federal Minister of Finance, Dr Abdirahman Beyle, has turned the department into his clan enclave with 80-90% of the ministry staff drawn on nepotism. Taking advantage of corrupt nature of his former bosses and Somali politicians, he is reported to have amassed huge personal fortune, while perfecting the art of theft and looting of public wealth, by creating special accounts for him and his bosses for plunder of public funds, which had never been accounted for in the government budget. Beyle is reported to have built skyscrapers in Hargeisa, using looted public funds.
Beyle’s corrupt adventures and nepotism have no limits to the extent that he even tried to insert his clan members in international financial institutions like Africa Development Bank, on behalf of Somalia, to forget the hundreds of thousands of dollars he gifted to a fellow clan member as the later was appointed Somali Ambassador to Canada, a man named Dhimbil and a former minister of the secessionist Somaliland. Once secured these large sums of money, Mr Dhimbil had trafficked a dozen of his kids from two marriages to Ottawa in Canada. With nowhere to accommodate such huge number of family members, he had to seek large property to rent. The situation had attracted the attention of the Canadian authorities to warrant an investigation into the matter. Diplomatic reports said that his diplomatic immunity has now been suspended, pending to the installation of a new Somali government.
This scandal unnoticed by Somali government had ended up in Ambassador’s family seeking asylum in Canada, with the host government sending a diplomat note of protest to the Somali government complaining about lack of operating funds for Somalia’s mission. The Ambassador was reported shamelessly begging for handouts from the Canadian Somali community there.
Somali Federal Parliament and some legal authorities have been recently looking into the matter of Dr Beyle’s mal-administration and mismanagement of Finance Department’s funds. Whether they have legal strengths to have him accountable is yet to be seen.
They say democracy dies in the darkness. It is equally true democracy suffers from demagoguery. Nowadays, a trend sets in Somali politics. It is NewsBlackout and subsequent public confusion as a result of a situation whereby the general public is kept in the dark on what is happening in their government. This confusion led to disappointment and loss of hope for the future for most Somalis. Man, by nature, thrives on hope for better days to come. Despite the prevailing difficulties in his life, he keeps struggling if he knows steps are being taken to improve his plight.
Strangely, there is a dangerous political culture Somali politicians are learning from Farmajo Regime: AbsoluteNewsBlackouts on running public affairs and occasional demagoguery speeches. This means no transparency and accountability in public affairs. It is an artificial creation of despair and disillusionment in the minds of the general public. It is a removal of better tomorrow from the public psychology and discourse. It is the beginning of social decay and dystopian situation.
If the successors of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were to salvage the situation from getting even worse, they have to act fast to unlearn Farmajo’s ways in public policy, and get real with the Somali public in transparency manners that incite and inspire people in their bitter struggle for better future.
(Feature picture: In the absence of the President due to sickness or incapacity to perform his duties, the Speaker of the Lower House acts as the President in overseeing the installation of the New PM, Hamse Abdi Barre.)
Retrospectively, Prime Minister Hamse Barre has been an incompetent executive, but an effective enabler of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud‘s (HSM’s) unconstitutional grab of all powers of the Executive Branch of the Somali Federal Government. Many were surprised when HSM appointed him on June 14, 2022, for reasons he only knew. But setting a historical precedence similar to Farmajo’s appointment of Hassan Ali Khayre wasn’t one of his reasons. What people didn’t know at the time was that Hamse was a decoy to musk Mohamud’s Dambul-Jadid‘s grand plan of HAG (Hawiye Action Group) agenda on avenging their historical grievances against Daroods.
This WDM editorial below under the above title was written after HSM had appointed Mr Barre. Ogaden Somalis received this editorial negatively at the time for emotional tribal reasons. They didn’t get it. We hope they read it differently today. Take a look:
WDM EDITORIAL
Historically and constitutionally, any person of Somali origin enjoys equal citizenship rights in Somalia. Equally, Ethiopia and Kenya consider any person of Darood/Ogaden subclan a citizen in each of their respective country. So, Prime Minister Barre, by virtue of his new position in his own country, automatically creates a bit of complications in their diplomatic and political relationships with neighboring Somalia.
It is worthnoting also to refer to former Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who couldn’t visit USA as Head of State of a foreign country with the full protection of diplomatic immunity as he was a US citizen. Accordingly, Farmajo was reported to have abandoned his US citizenship to visit America as a Somali President.
To avoid such potential strained relations with Kenya and Ethiopia, on top of already intractable disputes, historical conflict and violence, successive Somali regimes didn’t appoint or elect an Ogaden man to such highly visible position as Chief Executive.
While one may commend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for having made this decision in appointing Prime Minister Hamze Barre, someone may also be tempted to raise the question on whether he did due diligence to improve relationships with Somalia’s neighbors, given the historical burdens between Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Whatever the consequences of Mohamud’s appointment, all Somalis congratulate the New Prime Minister and wish him well.
Warsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN) 
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