Somalia: Puntland Blames Qatar for Terror Links and the 2019 Bosaso Port Manager Murder

BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland State of Somalia accused the government of Qatar of orchestrating the February 2019 killing of Paul Farmosa, the manager of DP World at Bosaso Port, and of supporting terrorist groups and media outlets that promote their ideology.

Formosa was waylaid by gunmen disguised as fishermen as he was heading to the port.

In a statement, Puntland’s Minister of Information said that terrorists operating in the mountains and those working through the media are “the same,” and vowed to dismantle all groups spreading the ideologies of ISIS and Al-Shabaab.

The minister further accused Qatar of harboring former Al-Shabaab leader Sheikh Mohamed Said Atam, who was active in the Galgala mountains and is currently residing in the country.

He also claimed that Qatar acknowledged its role in the killing of the Bosaso port manager and funded the Middle East Eye, which he described as a media outlet that spreads propaganda and falsehoods about Puntland.

“These actions reflect the anger of those who do not want Puntland to defeat ISIS,” the minister said, emphasizing that Puntland will continue its fight against terrorism and anyone supporting it.

GAROWE ONLINE