The Cabinet of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) today released a statement expressing support for the Puntland Defence Forces in their ongoing war against the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia aka ISIS). However, there is a glaring omission of any mention of the Puntland government, which has been leading and organizing the fight against ISIS in the region.
The absence of any acknowledgment of the Puntland government’s role in the war against ISIS has raised questions about the FGS’s motives and intentions, with some observers suggesting that Mogadishu is simply looking for another project to “suckle” and wants to get money from international partners. This suspicion is fueled by the fact that the Puntland government has not been trying to use the war to get funding, and has instead asked partners to provide only technical support, demonstrating their commitment and seriousness about the fight against the extremist group.
The Puntland Government’s Leadership in the War Against ISIS
The Puntland government has been at the forefront of the fight against ISIS in Somalia, launching a major military campaign known as the Hilac Campaign to dislodge the extremist group from its mountain strongholds in the region. The campaign, which has been ongoing for several months, has seen significant gains by Puntland forces, who have captured key strategic positions and cut off ISIS supply lines and escape routes.
The success of the Hilac Campaign is a testament 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.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the FGS’s handling of the situation, which has been characterized by a lack of clarity and consistency in its messaging and actions. While the FGS has expressed support for the Puntland Defence Forces, it has failed to acknowledge the crucial role played by the Puntland government in leading and organizing the campaign, raising questions about its motives and intentions.
The FGS’s Selective Support and Its Implications
The FGS’s selective support for the Puntland Defence Forces, without any mention of the Puntland government, has been seen by many as a deliberate attempt to sideline and undermine the regional administration. This is particularly concerning given the fact that the Puntland government has been the driving force behind the Hilac Campaign, and has demonstrated a high level of commitment and effectiveness in the fight against ISIS.
The FGS’s approach is a cynical attempt to use the war against ISIS as a means of securing funding and support from international partners, rather than a genuine effort to address the threat posed by the extremist group. This suspicion is reinforced by the fact that the FGS has a 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.
The implications of the FGS’s selective support for the Puntland Defence Forces are significant and far-reaching. By failing to acknowledge and support the Puntland government’s leadership and efforts in the war against ISIS, the FGS risks undermining the effectiveness and legitimacy of the campaign, and worsening of the division and mistrust between the federal government and the regional administration.
This could have serious consequences for the broader fight against terrorism and extremism in Somalia, as well as for the stability and security of the region as a whole. If the FGS is seen as prioritizing its own narrow interests over the needs and concerns of the regional states, it could erode public trust and confidence in the federal system, and create a vacuum that could be exploited by extremist groups and other destabilizing forces.
