Galmudug Denies Puntland Allegations over Alleged Arms Transfers

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Galmudug regional administration has rejected allegations from neighbouring Puntland that weapons used in attacks in Puntland were transported through airports in Galmudug, calling for dialogue and greater cooperation between the two federal member states.

Galmudug’s Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, Abdirahman Ahmed Hayle while speaking to the media said that there was no basis to claims that weapons had been transported from Galmudug for use in Puntland.

He said the two administrations maintained relations and cooperation in several areas and that maintaining coordination between them was important for security and stability in central and northeastern Somalia.

“There is no weaponry being transported from Galmudug to be used in Puntland,” Hayle said, according to media reports.

The minister also rejected the suggestion that the federal government could use Galmudug as a route for military operations inside Puntland, saying Mogadishu had the ability to conduct operations directly within areas under its control.

Hayle said Galmudug was surprised by the allegations and called for the two administrations to strengthen communication rather than exchange unverified accusations.

Growing tensions between federal states

The comments follow a warning issued by Puntland in which it accused the federal government of potentially using Galmudug territory and infrastructure as a staging ground for operations against Puntland.

The dispute comes against a wider backdrop of strained relations between Mogadishu and Puntland, which has strongly opposed several federal government initiatives on constitutional changes, elections and the distribution of political and security powers.

Puntland has also maintained close ties with the Somali Future Council, an opposition grouping that includes Puntland, Jubaland and prominent federal government critics. The coalition has called for an inclusive political settlement before major changes to Somalia’s political and constitutional arrangements are implemented.

The tensions have raised concerns among Somali political and security observers because Puntland and Galmudug share a long border and have historically faced common security challenges, including militant activity and clan-related conflicts.

Both regions also have an interest in maintaining stability across central Somalia, where Al-Shabaab remains active and where the federal government and its international partners continue to conduct security operations.

The latest exchange of accusations comes at a particularly sensitive time for Somalia, with political disagreements between the federal government and several regional administrations increasingly overlapping with security issues.

Galmudug’s call for dialogue could help contain the dispute, but the allegations highlight the broader challenge facing Somalia’s federal system: maintaining cooperation between regional administrations while national political disagreements remain unresolved.