Puntland Minister Accuses Federal Government of Handing Somalia’s Leadership to Al-Shabaab Amid Growing Uncertainty

Garowe (Sahan Post): – Amid the ongoing political rift between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Puntland State administration, Puntland’s Minister of Justice, Mohamed Abdiwahab, has accused the FGS of paving the way for Al-Shabaab to gain control over the country’s leadership.

Speaking to the media in Garowe, Minister Abdiwahab alleged that individuals affiliated with Al-Shabaab currently hold senior positions within the federal government and have not renounced their previous loyalties. He claimed that plans are underway to transfer national authority to the militant group.

“It is no longer surprising to hear that Al-Shabaab has been granted access to weapons, that they are receiving national identity cards, or that they are being invited by the President himself,” the minister stated. “This should not shock anyone, because the government’s ministers, directors-general, members of the security forces, everywhere you look, there are Al-Shabaab figures in leadership roles. None of them have truly abandoned their agenda.”

Minister Abdiwahab further accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his administration of preparing a framework that could enable Al-Shabaab to assume control of the country’s political leadership.

“It is increasingly evident that President Hassan Sheikh and his government are organizing a mechanism through which national authority could be handed over to Al-Shabaab. This is no secret. Certain foreign countries are pushing this agenda, similar to what was tested in Syria,” he continued. “The forced issuance of ID cards is part of a plan to hold a fraudulent election, after which the country will be placed under Al-Shabaab control.”

These allegations described as extremely serious, come at a time of escalating tensions between Puntland and the federal administration. The FGS has not yet responded to these claims, nor to earlier accusations by Puntland’s Minister of Information, who alleged that the federal government is effectively “nurturing” Al-Shabaab.

The controversy follows remarks made recently by the State Minister for Defense in Mogadishu, who said that “only two entities are authorized to bear arms: the Federal Government and Al-Shabaab.” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also stated that Al-Shabaab could obtain a national ID card issued by NIRA.

The political future of Somalia remains uncertain, with analysts noting parallels to previous power shifts in Afghanistan and Syria, where religious militant groups eventually assumed governance after prolonged instability.

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