Former Puntland Speaker Leads Armed Group into His Home Region — Puntland Pushes Back

Ceelbuh, Sanaag – Former Speaker of the Puntland Parliament, Cabdirashid Yusuf Jibril, now a sitting MP in the Puntland House of Representatives, entered the town of Ceelbuh in the Sanaag region yesterday, accompanied by an armed militia.

Cabdirashid, who had spent the past weeks in Mogadishu, reportedly arrived in Sanaag with a plan to mobilize delegates for a conference aimed at forming the SSC-Khaatumo state, expected to be headquartered in Lasanod.

The Federal Government of Somalia, particularly the Ministry of Interior, is said to be facilitating the process, raising concerns of potential armed confrontations in Sanaag — a region administered by Puntland.

According to reports by Garowe Online, traditional elders and community leaders in Sanaag rejected participation in the initiative. Following their refusal, Cabdirashid attempted to organize a separate gathering in Ceelbuh to nominate delegates to attend the Lasanod conference. 

Watch Here: Former Speaker Cabdirashid Wearing Military Uniform – Footage Shared on Facebook

The Puntland Government strongly opposed the move, viewing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine the region’s security and governance. In response, Puntland deployed government officials and lawmakers to the area to reinforce authority and prevent further escalation.

Cabdirashid, whose tenure as Speaker was marked by recurring political crises in Puntland, is reported to have met with federal leaders in Mogadishu, where they reportedly agreed to include parts of Sanaag in the newly proposed SSC-Khaatumo administration.

SSC, a region that recently emerged from intense fighting with Somaliland forces in Lasanod, is now facing political confrontation with Puntland authorities. Puntland officials argue that any attempt to shift control or restructure local governance without their involvement threatens the broader stability of the region.

GAROWE ONLINE