Wednesday September 2, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s federal government has accused Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni of encouraging pirates to demand ransom through recent statements about hijacked vessels off the Puntland coast.
Speaking in Mogadishu on Tuesday, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said a recent statement issued by the Puntland administration amounted to defending piracy and ransom payments.
He urged governments and shipowners whose vessels are being held off Somalia’s coast not to pay ransoms, saying such payments would finance piracy and encourage more attacks.
Fiqi said the federal government is ready to help find a solution for ships and boats seized by pirates, but insisted that pirate groups must not be given money to continue their activities.
The minister also called on Deni to play a visible role in combating piracy, noting that Puntland has a naval and coastal force that has long received international support.
He said pirate groups should be pursued both on land and along the coast, adding that those involved in the activities are known and that some live in Puntland’s towns and coastal areas.
The remarks come amid a dispute between the federal government and Puntland over the release of the Cameroon-flagged MV LUTUF, which was hijacked by armed pirates off Puntland’s coast on Aug. 17.
Puntland authorities have accused Somalia’s federal government and Türkiye of paying ransom to secure the vessel’s release.
Puntland rejected the federal government’s account that the cargo ship was freed through a Somali-Turkish military operation off the Puntland coast.
Ministry of Defense announced the vessel’s release, saying the operation was carried out in cooperation with Türkiye.
Puntland’s Ministry of Security and DDR welcomed the freeing of the MV LUTUF and its crew, but denied that the vessel had been rescued through a federal or Turkish operation.
The disagreement has deepened tensions between Mogadishu and Puntland at a time of renewed concern over piracy and maritime security off Somalia’s coast.
