Puntland has warned against the travel of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the city of Las Anod in the northeastern region of Somalia, where he is said to be attending the inauguration of President Firdhiye.
Puntland Information Minister Mahmoud Aydiid Dirir, who held a press conference in Garowe today, accused President Hassan Sheikh of instigating conflict between Somaliland and people living in the Sool region.
The minister said President Hassan Sheikh is deploying troops to the Sool region to wage war with Somaliland, referring to the recent decision by the Israeli government to recognize Somaliland.
“The Dhulbahante and Isaaq tribes should be wary of the conflict that Hassan is waging. There is no neighbor who will replace you; Dhulbahante will not move, and Isaaq will not move. It is in their interest that each one believes in his own land,” said the Puntland Information Minister.
Also, Aideed accused President Hassan Sheikh of planning to sign an agreement with Turkey in areas of Puntland to build military bases, which he said aims to create new conflict in the Horn of Africa region.
The minister added that President Hassan, who he described as a failure in security in South and Central Somalia, wants to spread instability to the peaceful regions that have agreed to the agreement.
The statement from Puntland comes as President Hassan Sheikh is expected to travel this week to Lascaanod, 100 km from the Puntland capital of Garowe, to attend the inauguration of President Firdhiye and send a message to the world, namely that the Somali government should control parts of the northern regions claimed by Somaliland.
