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The sharp exchange reflects the growing political rift between Puntland and the federal government in Mogadishu.

Minister Dirir’s remarks came after Defense Minister Fiqi criticized two Puntland ministers — Interior Minister Abdi Farah Said “Juxa” and Information Minister Mahmoud Aydid Dirir — describing them as “hungry and dishonorable men” for attending a ceremony in Garowe marking Ethiopia’s dam project.

Reacting angrily, Minister Dirir dismissed Fiqi’s comments and hit back, calling him “a hungry man who digs graves for money,” while accusing him of being a former extremist.

“Fiqi himself is the hungry one, digging graves [evictions of cemetery in Mogadishu] to earn money. He should stop digging graves. He was Al-Shabaab before, and everyone knows his extremist past. His photos with the Islamic Courts are everywhere. Fiqi has sat in every extremist circle, from the Islamic Courts to Al-Shabaab,” Minister Dirir said.

The latest war of words underscores the tense relationship between Puntland’s leadership and Mogadishu, which has been marked by disputes over power-sharing, federalism, and alliances with foreign partners.

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The attack, which occurred around 11:20 a.m., involved a suicide bomber who detonated explosives inside the training facility, killing and injuring an undisclosed number of people.

The blast struck an area where government troops were reportedly lined up.

Sources indicate that foreign military trainers, including Western personnel assisting the Somali National Army, were present at the facility during the attack. It remains unclear whether they were among the casualties.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense described the incident as a terrorist attack carried out by Al-Shabaab militants, referring to them as “Khawarij,” a term used by Somali authorities to describe the extremist group.

“The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber from the Al-Shabaab Khawarij who targeted the entrance of the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy,” the statement read. “

Security agencies have launched a full investigation, and the Somali public will be informed once the findings are complete.”

The Jaalle Siyaad military camp, located in Mogadishu’s Hodan district near the Ministry of Defense headquarters, has been targeted by Al-Shabaab in previous attacks.

Despite repeated government promises to investigate such incidents, no official findings have been released in the past.

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Until this year, the two nations maintained a distant relationship despite existing diplomatic ties.

However, recent developments have transformed this dynamic significantly since December 2023, when Somalia joined the East African Community (EAC) as its 8th member.

Notably, Somalia has appointed one of its strongest politicians, Ilyas Ali Hassan, as its Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC. Who is A former Minister, Senator, and Chairman of the National Resource Committee of the Senate.

During a high-level Tanzanian delegation’s visit to Mogadishu, both nations pledged to resume direct flights and signed a series of agreements. The delegation, led by Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, included key ministers and heads of the Tanzanian intelligence service and defense forces.

They engaged in productive discussions with Somali leaders, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, culminating in the signing of five agreements that encompass critical sectors such as tourism, health, environmental conservation, education, trade, immigration, and security.

Ambassador Ilyas Ali Hassan articulated the significance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership stands as a testament to our shared vision for enhancing bilateral relations, fostering regional integration, and promoting stability, prosperity, and sustainable development. Together, we shall work tirelessly to fortify these relationships, ensuring a brighter future for our nations and the entire region.”

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama praised Ambassador Hassan for his “proactive and fast-moving” approach following the successful visit.

Both Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Fiqi and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Kombo commended Hassan for his remarkable performance just weeks into his diplomatic tenure, emphasizing his role in strengthening bilateral ties and setting a high standard for Somali diplomats worldwide.

The two nations plan to finalize an agreement to resume direct flights, which will significantly reduce travel times and costs between Dar es Salaam and Mogadishu, currently requiring connections via Nairobi or Addis Ababa.

This enhancement in air connectivity is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic growth.

The agreements also reflect a shared commitment to promoting bilateral trade and enhancing the movement of people and goods. As members of the East African Community, both countries support the free movement of people and goods, although Somalia must adhere to specific protocols to fully benefit from this integration.

In addition to economic cooperation, Tanzania and Somalia have agreed to collaborate on security issues, including counterterrorism and the management of legal migration.

Tanzania will support Somali agencies in upgrading border patrols and law enforcement, as well as offering scholarships to Somali students.

This cooperation aims to tackle transnational organized crime and improve the management of migration, addressing historical challenges where Tanzania has had to repatriate many Somali migrants with irregular documentation.

Starting next year, Somalia and Tanzania will re-establish the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMCC), a bilateral agency designed to facilitate ongoing communication and address issues as they arise—a structure that has not been in place since the era of Siad Barre over three decades ago.

This renewed partnership signifies a promising step toward regional integration and stability, emphasizing both nations’ commitment to working collaboratively for a brighter future.

As Somalia gradually re-emerges on the global stage after years of civil strife and instability, the recent agreements and the proactive stance of Ambassador Ilyas Ali Hassan mark a new chapter in the relationship between Tanzania and Somalia.

This partnership holds great potential for mutual benefit and regional advancement, paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous future.

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“I categorically refute claims that Ethiopia has been granted access to the Red Sea. These baseless assertions lack any foundation. Somalia remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and ensuring transparency on national issues,” Fiqi stated on X.

I categorically refute claims that Ethiopia has been granted access to the Red Sea. These baseless assertions lack any foundation. Somalia remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and ensuring transparency on national issues.

— Hon. Ahmed FIQI (@AhmedMoFiqi) December 25, 2024

The denial follows a prior statement attributed to Fiqi, suggesting Somalia had agreed to grant Ethiopia Red Sea access as part of the Ankara Declaration, a deal brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on December 11, 2024.

The Ankara Declaration aims to resolve tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly following Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland on January 1, 2024.

That MoU granted Ethiopia access to the Red Sea while Somaliland sought recognition as an independent state.

As part of the agreement, technical committees will be established to address maritime disputes, with a resolution deadline set for mid-2025.

However, the deal has sparked controversy, particularly within the Tripartite Alliance of Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt, which opposes Ethiopia’s ambitions for Red Sea access.

Eritrea and Egypt view Ethiopia’s demands as a threat to regional stability.

Eritrean Foreign Ministry advisor Abdulkadir Idris criticized the agreement in comments to BBC Somali, arguing that it undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and risks destabilizing the region.

“The agreement is hasty and poorly conceived,” Idris warned, expressing frustration over Somalia’s swift acceptance of the deal.

He also cautioned that it could strain existing alliances and lead to diplomatic fallout.

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