Puntland vs. Somaliland, Maakhir, Insurgents, Corruption, Inflation...

[Armchair Politician]

Puntland's economy, territories and the very fabric of its state integrity are all under attack, both from external and internal actors.

 

While the invasion of Sool by Somaliland and tensions with Maakhir have grabbed headlines, the corruption of Adde Musa's administration coupled with economic stagnation and hyperinflation (an phenomenon known as "stagflation") has done enormous damage to the Puntland economy and destroyed Puntlander's trust in the administration.

 

The soldiers tasked with countering the threat posed by Somaliland and Maakhir for instance, have not been paid in months, nor have the authorities in Sool who are expected to risk everything by opposing Somaliland.

 

With all these enormous pressures upon Puntland, the Adde Musa administration still insists on pouring enormous manpower and money into defending and supporting the lame duck Mogadishu TFG administration, opening up a "third front" upon Puntland's already teetering and enfeebled strength and finances.

 

The death blow to Puntland may be the very thing that many are so in favor of that they riot in support of it, a full mobilization and full scale war against Somaliland. Puntland, absurdly overstretched, is now committing itself to a war against a state that has good finances, well paid and equipped soldiers and administrators in very high spirits, at precisely the time at which loyalty to Puntland is at its lowest, their soldiers are mutinous, and their administrators are defecting or seceding in droves.