By Habtamu Nini Abino
On July 19, 2025, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a serious and urgent statement. It accused Puntland authorities of unlawfully hijacking a Turkish military vessel bound for the TURKSOM military academy in Mogadishu. The rule of law, national unity in Somalia, and the stability of the wider Horn of Africa are at stake.
If true, this incident represents more than a domestic dispute. It challenges international partnerships, tests federal authority, and could potentially catalyse regional destabilisation.
Federalism on Trial
Somalia’s federal structure was born from a desire to unite a fragmented state through decentralisation. Yet this hijacking, attributed to Puntland, dangerously stretches the bounds of federal autonomy. The message from Mogadishu is unambiguous: Somalia’s unity cannot be held hostage to rogue actions by federal states.
Federalism cannot be used as a cloak for militancy or obstruction. If involved, Puntland risks undermining the constitutional order that guarantees its existence.
Türkiye: A Strategic Partner, Not a Target
The alleged interference with a Turkish vessel threatens more than Somali sovereignty—it jeopardises Somalia’s most crucial security partnership. Türkiye has invested heavily in rebuilding Somalia’s national army through the TURKSOM military academy, providing training, equipment, and diplomatic support.
To sabotage this alliance is to sabotage Somalia’s future. It sends the wrong signal to Turkey and to other international partners. If Somalia cannot guarantee the safety of its allies’ interests, it risks becoming isolated once again.
A Region on Edge
The Horn of Africa is one of the most volatile regions in the world. Ethiopia is battling internal insurgencies, Sudan is trapped in civil war, Eritrea remains unpredictable, and the Red Sea is increasingly militarised. Somalia cannot afford to add fuel to this fire.
The alleged hijacking also undermines maritime security in one of the world’s most strategic sea lanes. The Gulf of Aden already faces threats from piracy and proxy conflicts. Acts like these can invite foreign intervention and further militarisation.
Upholding the Law, Preserving the Union
The Federal Government of Somalia must act swiftly and within constitutional bounds to de-escalate the crisis, restore order, and ensure accountability. The future of the Somali state depends on its ability to balance regional autonomy with national unity, and diplomacy with firmness.
This is a defining moment—not only for Somalia, but for the regional order of the Horn of Africa. Missteps now could have irreversible consequences.
The Path Forward:
This is not the time for federal defiance or strategic sabotage. It is time for legal clarity, institutional resilience, and national dialogue. The Federal Government must stand firm, and all regions—including Puntland—must recommit to the unity and sovereignty of the Somali state.
In the eyes of the international community, this crisis will measure Somalia’s maturity as a nation. It must rise to the occasion.
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Habtamu Nini Abino is the author of The Second Republic and the Politics of Article 39 in Ethiopia and Liberal Democracy and the Constitution of 1994: The User’s Handbook. He writes on governance, federalism, and constitutional law in the Horn of Africa.
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