Puntland blocks federal commander Gen. Jima’le Takar as Somalia military standoff deepens
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Tensions are escalating in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state after regional authorities blocked Gen. Jima’le Takar, recently appointed by Somalia’s federal government as commander of the country’s 54th Division in the region, from entering Puntland unless he first resigns from the post. The standoff has intensified a growing dispute between the federal government […]
Black News 
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Tensions are escalating in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state after regional authorities blocked Gen. Jima’le Takar, recently appointed by Somalia’s federal government as commander of the country’s 54th Division in the region, from entering Puntland unless he first resigns from the post.
The standoff has intensified a growing dispute between the federal government and Puntland over military authority, with both sides maintaining firm positions as mediation efforts continue amid fears the confrontation could escalate.
Gen. Jima’le, who commands forces loyal to him in several of Puntland’s major cities, has insisted that he will return to the region regardless of the restrictions imposed by the Puntland administration.
Puntland officials, however, say the general will not be permitted to enter Garowe or other towns under the regional administration’s control unless he resigns from his federal appointment or publicly states that the position to which he was appointed does not exist.
The dispute follows the federal government’s appointment of Gen. Jima’le as commander of Somalia’s 54th Division, despite the general already commanding forces on the federal government’s payroll in Puntland.
After recently returning from Mogadishu, where he held talks with federal officials, Gen. Jima’le travelled to Lasanod, where he remains stranded after Puntland authorities refused him entry into Garowe and other regional towns.
The general has rejected the conditions laid down by Puntland officials, refusing to relinquish his federal appointment in exchange for being allowed to enter the region. He has maintained that no one can prevent him from returning to what he describes as his region.
Efforts to ease the standoff are being led by former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, who is mediating between the two sides in an attempt to secure a peaceful resolution.
Farole said the objective of the mediation is to prevent the dispute from escalating and to help both sides reach an agreement. He also warned that Puntland would not allow the federal government to establish a military presence in the region or use people from Puntland as a means of destabilizing the regional administration.
Despite the ongoing mediation, concerns remain that failure to reach a negotiated settlement could trigger a military confrontation. Gen. Jima’le commands thousands of troops stationed in several of Puntland’s major cities and continues to reject demands that he resign from his federal post before returning to the region, while Puntland authorities remain determined to prevent his entry unless their conditions are met.
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