Puntland president signs controversial anti-terrorism law

Saturday October 18, 2025

 

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has signed into law the “Puntland Anti-Terrorism Law,” a new measure granting expanded powers to security agencies in the region.

The legislation was previously approved by the Puntland Parliament in late July 2025.

The new law authorizes security agencies to take exceptional measures that extend beyond the standard provisions of the Puntland Constitution. Among the most notable changes, the law permits security forces to enter homes or other premises without a judicial warrant when pursuing terrorism suspects. It also allows the monitoring of phone conversations of individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.

The legislation has sparked debate over its compatibility with Article 21 of the Puntland Constitution, which explicitly prohibits unauthorized home searches, surveillance, or spying, except in urgent circumstances where police are actively pursuing a criminal or responding to a crime in progress.

The law also introduces severe penalties for anyone who joins, supports, or aids terrorist organizations — including prison terms of up to 20 years or, in extreme cases, the death penalty.

Following President Deni’s signature on October 8, the law was published in the official gazette, making it legally binding. Officials say those currently imprisoned on terrorism-related charges will be subject to its provisions.

Puntland has been waging an intensified campaign against ISIS militants entrenched in parts of the Bari region. President Deni has vowed that the final phase of the offensive will focus on holding accountable those providing logistical or ideological support to the group.