Somalia is witnessing heightened political tensions as federal and regional authorities clash over voter registration efforts tied to the country’s one-person, one-vote (1P1V) electoral model.

In the northern Sool region, Puntland authorities this week deployed troops, ostensibly to disrupt registration activities initiated by the Federal Government of Somalia in collaboration with the newly formed Northeast State.

The Sool region, which now belongs to Northeast State, is contested by Puntland and Somaliland, both of which opposed the creation of the new federal state.

The 1P1V registration drive, launched on Monday, has sparked controversy between Puntland—Somalia’s first federal member state—and Northeast State, a new regional entity carved out of the SSC-Khatumo movement.

Puntland officials view the initiative as a direct challenge to their authority, particularly in areas such as Boocame district and the nearby Farlibaax settlement, where federal and Northeast electoral commissions began operations.

Both locations are considered strongholds of Puntland’s Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, who has openly opposed voter registration in his constituency.

Local sources report that Lugatoor is mobilising clan-based militias to resist the exercise and has recently visited the disputed districts, laying foundation stones for development projects funded by his administration to reinforce Puntland’s claim.

Since the declaration of Northeast State on July 30, fears of armed confrontation between Puntland and the new administration have grown.

The Northeast State emerged from SSC-Khatumo, which broke away from both Somaliland—a self-declared independent authority—and Puntland, with backing from Somalia’s federal government.

Somalia’s Interior Minister, Ali Yusuf Hosh, stated at the time: “This new state comprising the Sool and Sanaag regions is no longer a disputed territory (between Puntland and Somaliland).”

This week, Northeast State President Abdulkadir Ahmed Firdhiye and Minister Hosh officially launched voter registration for municipal elections in Las Anod, the state’s capital.

Puntland leaders have strongly opposed the formation of Northeast State and continue to clash with the federal government over territorial claims and electoral models. Similar tensions are also unfolding in Jubbaland, Somalia’s southernmost federal member state.

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