The former Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbaloolshe,” stated that he met with the presidents of Puntland and Somaliland, as well as the leader of Jubaland, in the United Arab Emirates. He described these meetings as discussions centered on a plan directed against the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Speaking about the meetings he claims to have held with these officials in the UAE, Sanbaloolshe noted that those present included the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro); the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni; and the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe).
He alleged that the talks focused on forming an alliance aimed at ousting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from power. Sanbaloolshe further stated that the discussions covered the political direction of the proposed alliance and the steps it should take.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia has previously accused the United Arab Emirates of attempting to establish a group in Somalia similar to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—a force that plays a major role in the ongoing conflict in that country. However, the Somali government has not yet publicly presented evidence to substantiate this accusation.
Sanbaloolshe’s remarks and the federal government’s allegations come at a time of ongoing political disputes between the central government and some of the country’s regional administrations—disputes concerning Somalia’s political direction and the nature of the relationships between the various parties.
