Puntland Information Minister Accuses Federal Government of Enabling al-Shabaab

Garowe, Puntland – (Sahan Post) — Puntland’s Minister of Information, Maxamuud Caydiid Dirir, delivered a strongly worded press briefing in Garowe, sharply criticizing the Federal Government of Somalia and accusing it of making statements that he said appear to legitimize al-Shabaab.

The minister was responding to comments made by federal officials, which he described as “dangerous to national security and harmful to the unity of the Somali people.” Dirir specifically condemned remarks issued yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Defense, who stated that “only two sides are allowed to have weapons: the government and al-Shabaab.”

Dirir said such comments undermine public trust and risk portraying the militant group as a legally recognized entity, while weakening the morale of citizens and federal member states fighting extremism. He emphasized that Puntland “will never accept any attempt to normalize or grant political legitimacy to al-Shabaab.”

The minister also addressed recent remarks by Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who suggested that al-Shabaab members could obtain a NIRA national identity card. Dirir called the statement a “dangerous proposition” that threatens the safety of Somali civilians. He reiterated that Puntland considers al-Shabaab an unequivocal enemy, and warned that statements of this nature jeopardize ongoing national counter-terrorism efforts.

Dirir declared that Puntland will not allow anyone in its territory to openly carry or use a NIRA card if there is suspicion of affiliation with al-Shabaab, stating: “Anyone found with a NIRA card will be treated as al-Shabaab and will be apprehended.” The remark highlights Puntland’s increasingly firm stance on the matter.

The Federal Government has not yet responded to the accusations issued by Puntland’s Information Minister. Relations between Mogadishu and Puntland have deteriorated in recent months, as political disagreements between the federal and state governments continue to intensify.

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