Mogadishu, SOMALIA – The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has been privately telling international partners that it is assisting Puntland in its offensive against the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS), a claim that has been categorically rejected by Puntland officials. The assertion has raised serious questions about the FGS’s motives and intentions, with some observers suggesting that Mogadishu may be attempting to deceive the international community in order to gain funding for itself, rather than providing genuine support to Puntland’s efforts against the extremist group.
On Thursday, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni publicly stated that not even one painkiller tablet had been provided by anyone other than Puntland and its people, contradicting the FGS’s claims of assistance. The FGS may be engaging in a deliberate campaign of misinformation and deception, aimed at exploiting the security situation in Puntland for its own financial and political gain.
The FGS’s Pattern of Deception and Corruption
The FGS’s alleged attempt to mislead the international community about its role in the fight against ISIS in Puntland is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader pattern of deception and corruption that has characterized the federal government’s approach to security and governance issues. The FGS has a long history of using security threats and crises as a means of soliciting aid and support from the international community, often with little accountability or transparency in how the funds are used.
This pattern of behavior has been well-documented by Somali and international observers, who have raised concerns about the FGS’s lack of transparency and accountability in its handling of foreign aid and assistance. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of corruption and mismanagement within the federal government, with officials accused of embezzling funds, awarding contracts to family members and allies, and using their positions for personal enrichment.
The FGS’s attempt to deceive the international community about its role in the fight against ISIS in Puntland is particularly egregious, as it not only undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the federal government, but also risks diverting resources and attention away from the urgent need to support Puntland’s efforts against the extremist group.
The Impact on Puntland’s Efforts Against ISIS
Puntland’s ongoing offensive against ISIS, known as the Hilac Campaign, has been a major undertaking for the regional administration, requiring significant resources and coordination to dislodge the extremist group from its strongholds in the region. The campaign has seen significant gains by Puntland forces, who have captured key strategic positions and cut off ISIS supply lines and escape routes, dealing a major blow to the group’s operational capabilities.
However, the success of the Hilac Campaign has been largely due to the leadership and organizational skills of the Puntland government, which has been able to mobilize and coordinate a complex military operation in challenging terrain and under difficult circumstances. The government has also demonstrated a high level of commitment and seriousness about the fight against ISIS, focusing on the military and security aspects of the campaign rather than using it as an opportunity to seek funding or political gain.
The FGS’s alleged attempt to deceive the international community about its role in the fight against ISIS in Puntland risks undermining the effectiveness and legitimacy of Puntland’s efforts, by attempting to divert resources and attention away from the urgent need to support the regional administration’s campaign. I
Moreover, the FGS’s deception is designed to cause a misallocation of resources and a failure to address the underlying drivers of extremism and violence in the region. If the FGS is seen as a reliable and effective partner in the fight against ISIS, despite evidence to the contrary, it could lead to a continuation of the status quo, rather than a fundamental rethinking of the approach to security and governance in Somalia.
