1. SUMMARY

In June, the overall situation in Puntland State of Somalia remained relatively peaceful and stable. The state parliament’s first ordinary session opened in Garowe, with Puntland MPs forwarding a parliamentary agenda that concerned the administration, more interestingly regarding past agreements such as DP World’s 2017 Bossaso port expansion deal. The government continued its institutional reforms, naming new Puntland Darawish Force commanders, new governors and mayors, to spearhead the reform agenda. Also, the collective resignation of Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) presented the government with both a surprise, and an opportunity to double its efforts to restart the state’s stalled democratization process.

Tensions remained high in parts of Sool and Sanaag regions, with increasing military and political activity in eastern Sanaag region. While there were no armed clashes, the Somaliland-Puntland military standoff near Yubbe town in eastern Sanaag region, combined with rising local clan sentiments, remained a major threat to regional stability. Media reports alleging that Somaliland government wrote a letter to international aid organizations warning against aid operations in parts of eastern Sanaag region seemed to further inflame the complex security, political and social dynamics in the affected region. Meanwhile, Puntland government forces continued conducting security operations, especially in Bossaso and Bari region, including arresting terrorism suspects and foiling a bomb attack. However, Al Shabaab insurgents dealt a publicity blow to Puntland after its forces briefly seized Af Urur military camp. Days later, Puntland soldiers were killed in a bomb attack at Af Urur village, indicating that insurgent operations remained an active and daily risk to Puntland security forces. With regards to sexual violence endemic, Puntland courts upheld a death sentence for three men convicted of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Aisha Ilyas, after the convicted men filed an appeals case, drawing credibility to the state’s justice system.

Puntland government continued its efforts to fix major roads damaged by Gu seasonal rains in May. Furthermore, the government was actively leading flood relief while analysts warn of an impending food crisis that could break out in Puntland. Drought response initiatives seemed to be at inception stage across Puntland, but less than half of the funding requirements for the humanitarian response plan have been met. Meanwhile, the government also signed two new agreements during President Deni’s working trip to China in early June, including an MOU for developing Horn of Africa Economic Zone in Puntland.

Dowlond  Full  Repot

NAI-SitRep-June2019