Wednesday March 12, 2025
Somali lawmaker Abdullahi Farah Mire (L), who accused government officials of diverting security funds to clan militias in Puntland, and Mohamed Dheere (R), who strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless.
Mogadishu (HOL) — A federal lawmaker accused officials close to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday of diverting national security funds to pay clan-based militias in Puntland, claiming this misallocation undermines efforts against Islamic State militants.
Addressing parliament, Abdullahi Farah Mire, who represents Puntland, alleged that clan militias in Bosaso and Garowe, two strategically important northeastern cities, were receiving salaries through Somalia's federal payroll. These payments, he argued, should instead fund the country's official armed forces fighting extremist groups.
"It's alarming that individuals associated with the president are openly boasting about integrating clan militias into the national army payroll," Mire said. He stressed that diverting critical resources toward clan-based groups weakens national unity and the broader fight against terrorism, notably ISIS and Al-Shabaab.
Mire urged President Mohamud to halt policies he described as "divisive and discriminatory," insisting the federal government should prioritize legitimate security forces combating terror threats.
In a swift response, Mohamed Dheere, another Puntland lawmaker, dismissed Mire's claims, labelling them unfounded and irresponsible.
"There are absolutely no government-backed militias undermining Puntland's fight against ISIS," Dheere said. "These allegations are dangerous fabrications, misleading both parliament and the public."
Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, is battling ISIS insurgents operating from remote mountainous areas.