Garowe, 15 June 2023 – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni issued an unprecedented warning about a potential crisis in the Gedo region in his opening speech for the 52nd session of Puntland Parliament.
Deni accused the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) of “oppressing” the people of Gedo and pushing forward agendas that had been previously rejected by them. The alleged imposition of such policies has sparked concerns over possible civil unrest and the resurgence of Al-Shabaab in the region.
“We warn the FGS and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to refrain from forcing the will of the people of Gedo and to avoid replicating the actions of the previous government,” President Deni said, referring to the administration of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo.
This stern warning from Puntland’s leader follows the recent controversial agreement struck by the Mogadishu government with Ahmed Madobe, in which Madobe pledges his unconditional support to the FGS in return for leadership over Gedo. The move has raised eyebrows in many circles and stoked fears of a potential civil war between the Mareehan and Ogaden clans, given the fraught political dynamics in the region.
While the FGS’s intent may have been to secure stability through its agreement with Madobe, critics argue that this strategy may have the opposite effect. Historically, Gedo has been a hotbed for clan-based conflict, and these new developments risk upsetting the delicate equilibrium.
The specter of a revived Al-Shabaab looms ominously over the region as well. Should the tension between the Mareehan and Ogaden clans escalate to a full-blown conflict, the militant group could capitalize on the instability, expanding its power base in the region. The consequences of this could be far-reaching, not just for Somalia, but for the entire Horn of Africa.
President Deni’s warning should therefore not be taken lightly. The situation calls for careful navigation of the region’s complex political landscape, as well as an urgent reassessment of the FGS’s strategies. A failure to heed these concerns could potentially plunge Gedo, and by extension Somalia, into a new cycle of violence, undermining years of hard-won stability.
As Somalia continues its ongoing struggle for peace, the international community must also keep a keen eye on these developments. This pivotal moment in the region’s history demands a concerted effort towards preventing conflict, promoting dialogue, and preserving the fragile peace that has been painstakingly built over the years
