AFRICA/SOMALIA - Puntland: New leaders emerge as fight against violence by armed groups continues

by Gianluca Frinchillucci

Garowe (Agenzia Fides) - The semi-autonomous region of Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, is experiencing a critical phase due to the increase in violence linked to jihadist armed groups affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS). The recent attack on December 31, 2024 against Mohamed Baari Shire, a young Vice president of Parliament, highlights the challenges that the region faces in ensuring stability and security, at a time when the local government is committed to improving the living conditions of the population.
This attack, perpetrated in the Bari region, included suicide explosions and an armed assault coordinated by ISIS militants. Although Puntland security forces managed to repel the offensive, the clash left casualties on both sides. According to local sources, the aim of the attack was to destabilize local institutions in a context already marked by political and social tensions. Among the attackers were foreign fighters from Morocco, Tanzania, Yemen and Libya, highlighting the transnational nature of this threat.
Since its emergence in 2015, ISIS in Puntland has represented a constant challenge for the authorities, who must also face competition from the jihadist paramilitary group al-Shabaab for control of resources and strategic trade routes in the Gulf of Aden.

Mohamed Baari Shire, a young Vice president of Parliament, seeks to represent the hope of a new governance in Puntland. His leadership, focused on development and stability, stands out in a territory often marginalized within the Somali political landscape. The recent assassination attempt from which he managed to escape has strengthened public support for him, in the midst of a population exhausted by years of conflict. In addition to security operations, the Puntland government is stepping up its efforts to address the social and economic emergencies that contribute to the instability of the region. Among the most serious problems are unemployment and limited access to education and health services, factors that increase the vulnerability of young people to recruitment by armed groups. In collaboration with entities such as the Puntland Development Research Centre (PDRC), local authorities are promoting community dialogue and social inclusion initiatives. In addition, investments are being made in infrastructure, educational programmes and health services, with the aim of improving the living conditions of the population. In particular, the aim is to create employment opportunities for young people, who represent a crucial part of the effort to build a more stable future.

Professor Sonkor Geyre, Director of the Heritage Institute for the Horn of Africa (HI4Horn), has highlighted the importance of closer collaboration between Puntland and the Somali federal government to effectively confront the threat of ISIS-affiliated militias. According to Geyre, “The cold relations between the federal government and Puntland have hampered coordinated action against ISIS. The region has a key role to play in determining progress towards peace in the Horn of Africa, where terrorism must not find refuge.”
The Puntland government has announced a large-scale military offensive in the Alimiskat Mountains, with the aim of dismantling ISIS operational bases. However, the fight against terrorism cannot be limited solely to the military sphere; the future of the region depends on its ability to balance security, development and political inclusion. An integrated approach that combines the fight against armed groups and development programs, represents the only way to lasting peace. Effective collaboration and support from the international community can make Puntland a model of stability and cohesion in the Horn of Africa (Agenzia Fides, 4/1/2025)

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