Wider Consultations Needed to Guide Security Agency Reforms in Puntland

[Deeq A.]

The need for broader consultations with traditional leaders and political stakeholders imposes constraints on President Deni’s authority.

Garowe (PP Editorial) — The disagreement over how to manage the Puntland Security Force (PSF) in Puntland State of Somalia has led to the closure of Bosaaso Airport. This situation raises concerns about potential clashes in Bosaaso, reminiscent of the conflict that erupted in 2021. Traditional leaders, led by King Burhan, intervened in 2021 to resolve the dispute. Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni displayed remarkable composure in agreeing to the elders’ proposed solution.

However, his critics are now accusing him of instigating political and security instability by attempting to disarm the PSF with the assistance of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which is funded by the UAE. It is worth noting that both the PSF and PMPF are unconstitutional security entities, formed by previous Puntland administrations without adherence to the Puntland State Constitution.

Asad Osman Abdullahi is the former PSF commander.

The Puntland State government has not disclosed the reason behind last week’s PSF-PMPF disagreements. Did either side breach the terms of the 2021 settlement? Was there an independent body to oversee the agreement’s implementation? The interests of the people in Puntland are not served when the Puntland State Government uses one security force against another, particularly when both operate outside the constitution.

In 2009 President Abdirahman Farole attempted to restructure the PSF (formerly known as the Puntland Intelligence Service), but faced challenges, largely because his predecessors had accepted the quasi-independent nature of the PSF.

Historically, each Puntland government has generally maintained a cooperative relationship with the PSF, until President Deni’s fallout with its senior leadership three years ago. Reforming the PSF and PMPF requires thorough consultations, but Puntland’s heavily centralised political system does not facilitate transparency. President Deni has not engaged political parties or councillors in discussions regarding the security agencies.

A security reform agenda driven solely by the presidency risks sparking conflict. President Deni must acknowledge the constraints that the need for broader consultations with traditional leaders and political stakeholders imposes on his authority. Selectively applying the Puntland Constitution to politically motivated security reforms is unacceptable.

© Puntland Post, 2024

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