Monday October 28, 2024
Mogadishu(HOL) — A map unveiled by Somalia’s federal government during a recent ceremony in Mogadishu has sparked a backlash from Puntland and Hirshabelle, two key federal states. Displayed at an event welcoming a Turkish oil exploration vessel, the map portrayed certain regions as “disputed”—a designation that Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Hirshabelle officials claim undermines the autonomy and borders of their territories.
Puntland’s President Deni voiced strong objections, asserting that the map inaccurately labelled parts of the Mudug region as contested. “Puntland and Galmudug have no disputed boundaries. Each territory’s borders are well-defined, and our cooperation is based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” Deni said. He said that Puntland’s hold on Mudug is unequivocal, dismissing any perception of territorial ambiguity as “an outsider’s misunderstanding.”
Hirshabelle’s response was equally critical, contending that the map disregards the constitutional boundaries established under Somalia’s federal system. “The structure of Hirshabelle is enshrined in the federal constitution, specifically Articles 48 and 49. The map presented at the event distorts our state’s integrity and risks stirring divisions,” Hirshabelle officials stated, further condemning the map as a detriment to Somali unity.
The map debacle spotlights longstanding tension between Puntland and the Somali federal government, particularly since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed office. Puntland has notably boycotted National Consultative Council meetings in protest of what they describe as federal overreach and unilateral constitutional changes.
In response to the outcry, Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, attributed the controversy to a technical mishap. Speaking at a press conference, Mohamed clarified that an outdated 2015 map was mistakenly displayed. “This was purely a technical oversight. The map in question was prepared years before the establishment of Hirshabelle, and due to a logistical error by the organizing company, it was not removed from the materials shown,” he explained.
Mohamed criticized what he described as political opportunism, suggesting that some local leaders are using the error to advance divisive agendas. “It is disappointing to see minor mistakes exploited for political gain, undermining the public’s renewed optimism,” he remarked, adding that federal officials have assumed responsibility for the oversight and acknowledged the need for improved quality control.
The incident brings to light Somalia’s complex history with territorial delineation. Since the collapse of its central government in the 1990s, maps depicting Somali regions have varied widely, reflecting shifts in governance and contested boundaries. The recent establishment of new federal member states has only increased the need for accurate representation, as the country works to balance regional autonomy with federal unity.