GAROWE (Kaab TV) – The Puntland government has announced that military forces and vehicles not affiliated with Puntland’s security institutions will no longer be permitted to enter, remain in, or transit through areas under its control.
The decision was made public in a statement issued following a meeting of the Puntland Council of Ministers. The statement said security and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take legal action against any individual or entity that violates the directive.
According to Puntland authorities, the measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen security, maintain stability, and safeguard the administration’s authority over territories under its jurisdiction.
The statement also reiterated Puntland’s longstanding position that its forces are not integrated into the Somali National Army until a mutually agreed settlement is reached on the outstanding political and security disputes between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia.
Puntland officials argued that unresolved issues include the framework for establishing a national security force that reflects Somalia’s federal system and guarantees the constitutional powers of federal member states.
“The Council instructed all Puntland security and justice institutions that no military vehicles or forces that are not part of the Puntland Security Forces may remain in or pass through Puntland territory,” the statement said.
The decision comes amid ongoing political tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government. The dispute has largely centered on constitutional amendments, the country’s electoral framework, the distribution of powers between federal and regional authorities, and the structure of Somalia’s national security institutions.
In recent weeks, Puntland has witnessed increased political and military activity involving former Puntland soldiers who have aligned themselves with the Federal Government of Somalia. Some of these personnel have stated that they made the move after claiming they were denied certain rights and benefits while serving under Puntland authorities.
Relations between Puntland and Mogadishu have remained strained since Puntland suspended cooperation with federal institutions over disagreements regarding constitutional changes approved by the Federal Parliament.
Puntland leaders have repeatedly argued that major constitutional and security reforms should be based on broad political consensus among all federal member states and national stakeholders before implementation.