Puntland Suspends Alight International Operations in SSC Khaatumo Amid Dispute

Puntland’s Vice President, Ilyas Ilmi Lugatoor, has announced an official suspension of Alight International’s operations in Lasaanood, accusing the organization of violating Puntland’s operational rules. The order includes revoking Alight International’s work permit within Puntland and notifying the organization’s major partners, UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), to end collaboration with the NGO in the region.

Alight International, an agency working on humanitarian and development projects within the Sool region, now faces challenges in continuing its operations, as Puntland has instructed UNICEF, WFP, and other affiliated agencies to halt current and future projects led by Alight within its territories.

However, Puntland’s directive has met with opposition from Abdullahi Hirsi Timacade, the second deputy chairman of Somalia’s Upper House. Timacade emphasized that only the SSC Khaatumo administration, governing the contested SSC region, has the authority to regulate or remove Alight International. He stated that Alight will remain in SSC Khaatumo, asserting that it operates independently of Puntland’s jurisdiction.

This development follows rising tensions between SSC Khaatumo and Puntland over regional governance. The SSC Khaatumo administration recently criticized Puntland’s appointment of officials within the Sool region, viewing it as an encroachment on SSC’s authority.

The conflict underscores ongoing administrative disputes within Somalia, as Puntland and SSC Khaatumo vie for influence and control within key territories.