Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni paid a working visit to Garacad Port on Sunday, where he inaugurated a newly completed cargo storage facility and inspected ongoing expansion projects aimed at increasing the port’s operational capacity.

During the visit, President Deni officially opened the new warehouse built for the storage and handling of goods arriving through the port.

He also toured the recently completed Berth C, which has been added to accommodate growing maritime traffic, and inspected construction work on Berth D, which remains under development.

The President further visited newly constructed offices that will house Puntland government ministries and agencies responsible for port operations.

The facilities have been designed to modern standards and are intended to streamline customs, regulatory and administrative services, improving efficiency and accelerating port-related activities.

Garacad Port, which officially began operations in 2022, has become one of Puntland’s most significant economic infrastructure projects.

The port serves as a key trade gateway for northeastern Somalia and has been undergoing continuous expansion to handle increasing volumes of cargo and commercial activity.

President Deni also received briefings from the Garacad Port management, port committee members and engineers overseeing the expansion project.

Discussions focused on the progress of ongoing construction, operational performance and future development plans.

The visit forms part of Puntland’s broader efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure, expand trade opportunities and enhance the services provided by Garacad Port, which authorities view as a strategic driver of economic growth and regional connectivity.

The Galmudug administration has issued a strong warning over Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni’s ongoing tour of eastern Mudug, cautioning against any visit to areas claimed by Galmudug.

Galmudug’s Minister of Ports said any attempt by Deni to enter territories administered or claimed by Galmudug could trigger political and social tensions, warning that such a move risks destabilizing the region.

The minister argued that visits to disputed areas could reignite old disputes and create new security challenges in parts of Mudug that have previously experienced conflict and inter-community tensions.

The warning comes amid longstanding territorial disagreements between Puntland and Galmudug, both of which claim authority over parts of Mudug region.

Galmudug called for restraint, dialogue, and cooperation, stressing that local communities need peace, reconciliation, and stability rather than actions that could fuel fresh disputes.

It remains unclear whether President Deni plans to travel to the specific areas mentioned by Galmudug, but the issue has drawn growing attention as political tensions between the two administrations continue.

Residents of Mudug are closely monitoring developments, amid concerns that political disagreements could escalate into broader social or security tensions if not managed through dialogue.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, who is on a working visit to Galkayo, held a meeting at the city’s presidential residence with senior commanders from the region’s various security forces and Puntland government officials serving in Mudug.

The meeting reviewed the overall political, security and administrative situation in Mudug, with particular attention given to strengthening security and improving coordination among the different security units operating across the region.

A key issue discussed was the restructuring of security forces stationed in Saaxo, Galkayo and Galdogob.

The move is part of wider efforts by the Puntland administration to reorganize its security institutions and strengthen the chain of command amid ongoing security and political challenges in parts of Mudug.

Galkayo, which is divided between Puntland and Galmudug, remains one of Somalia’s most politically and strategically sensitive cities.

The city has previously experienced tensions between forces aligned with the two administrations, making security coordination and the prevention of renewed conflict an important concern for local authorities.

Galdogob, located near the border with Ethiopia, also holds strategic importance because of its location along major trade and movement routes linking Puntland with neighboring areas.

Saaxo and other parts of Mudug similarly remain important to Puntland’s wider security and administrative plans.

President Deni and the officials also discussed accelerating development projects across Mudug.

These include economic infrastructure and facilities providing essential public services, with the administration emphasizing the need to improve access to services and support local development.

The meeting comes as Puntland continues efforts to strengthen its security forces while addressing broader political and administrative challenges.

The administration has increasingly focused on reorganizing forces operating under its authority and ensuring that security responsibilities are coordinated through official government structures.

Deni’s visit to Galkayo also follows heightened political and security tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia.

Puntland has repeatedly raised concerns over federal government policies and the deployment or alignment of forces in areas it considers part of its sphere of authority.

Against this backdrop, the president’s meeting with security commanders and regional officials is likely to be seen as part of Puntland’s efforts to reinforce its control over security and governance in Mudug while advancing development priorities across the region.

Puntland has sharply criticized Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod, with senior officials accusing the Federal Government of failing to deliver meaningful development or security support to the SSC-Khaatumo administration despite backing its formation.

Speaking in Garowe, Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor described the Prime Minister’s visit as politically symbolic, arguing that more than three years after SSC-Khaatumo emerged as a political administration in Las Anod, residents have yet to see tangible federal investment or development projects.

“It is unfortunate that the Federal Government spent significant resources deploying forces from Bosaso to Galkayo, yet failed to support the security forces stationed in the Sool region,” Lugatoor said.

“More than three years have passed since an administration was declared in Las Anod, but not a single major development project has been implemented. The people should ask Prime Minister Hamza: where are the services and resources that were promised?”

The Puntland official also urged residents of the SSC regions to reassess their political future, arguing that expectations raised by Mogadishu had not been fulfilled.

“Politics can sometimes lead us down the wrong path, but it can also be corrected,” Lugatoor said. “Las Anod is my city, and I want peace and stability there. We cannot continue believing the promises of Hassan Sheikh and Hamza forever. It is time for us to rethink our future.”

The remarks come as political tensions continue over the future of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, which declared itself separate from Somaliland following months of conflict in Las Anod in 2023.

While the Federal Government has increasingly engaged with SSC-Khaatumo and has moved toward recognizing it as a federal member state in formation, Puntland has maintained that the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions have longstanding historical and constitutional ties to Puntland under Somalia’s federal system.

Prime Minister Hamza’s visit to Las Anod was viewed by the Federal Government as a demonstration of support for the local administration and part of broader efforts to strengthen federal institutions in the region.

However, Puntland has repeatedly argued that Mogadishu has prioritized political recognition over delivering concrete development, infrastructure, and public services.

The disagreement reflects the broader political contest over the future governance of the SSC regions.

While SSC-Khaatumo’s leadership seeks formal recognition within Somalia’s federal structure, Puntland continues to claim historical ties to the territory, and Somaliland also maintains its longstanding claim over Sool and parts of Sanaag.

The overlapping claims have made the region one of the most politically sensitive areas in Somalia, with federal engagement continuing to draw criticism from competing stakeholders.

The administration of Mudug region in Puntland has banned the holding of political meetings and gatherings without prior government approval, citing security and public order concerns.

In a directive issued by Mudug Regional Governor Abdullahi Jibril Bayle, regional authorities instructed security agencies and district administrations to prevent any unauthorized political meetings from taking place across the region.

The statement directed the Mudug Regional Police Commander, the regional National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) chief, and district commissioners to ensure that no political meetings are held in hotels or other public venues without authorization from the regional administration.

Authorities also instructed hotel owners, conference hall operators, and managers of public venues not to host political gatherings unless organizers have obtained official permission from the government.

The Mudug regional administration warned that individuals or businesses found violating the directive would face legal action in accordance with Puntland’s laws.

The decision comes amid heightened political activity in Puntland ahead of upcoming political processes and follows a similar directive issued recently in Karkaar region, where authorities also prohibited political meetings and gatherings that had not been approved or coordinated with the Puntland government.

The latest restrictions are expected to draw attention as political stakeholders continue consultations on Puntland’s political and governance agenda, with authorities insisting that the measures are intended to maintain security and public stability.