MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Despite persistent political tensions and a lack of cooperation between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland authorities, Mogadishu has disbursed $16 million in international development assistance to the region. The funds, part of broader international support, are intended to alleviate the significant hardships faced by impoverished farmers in Puntland, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mohamed Abi Hayir said.
He emphasized that this aid was allocated solely to address the dire needs of the people, with no consideration for the ongoing political disputes between the federal and regional governments.
Abdi underscored that the decision to allocate these funds was made with the best interests of the Puntland population in mind, particularly the farmers grappling with food insecurity.
“The federal government sent $16 million to Puntland despite the current political climate, driven by its commitment to the people it governs, especially the impoverished farmers of the region,” Abdi remarked, stressing that humanitarian priorities outweighed political divisions between the two administrations.
In response to Puntland’s accusations that it had not received its fair share of tractors distributed by the federal government to regional states, Abdi dismissed these claims as a “smokescreen.” He raised concerns that the funds intended to support farmers and pastoralists in Puntland may have been misappropriated.
“When I encountered these baseless accusations, I began to question whether the funds allocated to support Puntland’s farmers and pastoralists had been misused. The allegations against us appear to be a diversion,” Abdi stated.
The minister further called on Puntland authorities to cease making “groundless accusations” and instead focus on fulfilling their responsibility to procure the remaining tractors necessary for the region’s agricultural development.
“They must cease these false claims and take decisive action to acquire the remaining tractors for the benefit of Puntland’s farmers,” Abdi insisted, urging regional authorities to prioritize agricultural needs over political disputes.
Despite Abdi’s remarks, Puntland’s authorities have vehemently rejected the comments and countered that the federal government has failed to honor its commitments. The exchange of accusations has deepened the rift between the two administrations, with both sides accusing one another of failing to meet their obligations. This ongoing political standoff continues to hinder effective governance and the delivery of essential aid, further complicating the situation on the ground.
The tensions have also extended to the issue of food aid, with the federal government claiming it dispatched supplies to Puntland, a statement that regional officials have adamantly denied. This escalating exchange of accusations reflects the growing mistrust between Puntland and the federal government, undermining efforts to address critical humanitarian challenges and exacerbating the divide between federal and regional authorities.
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