GAROWE — In a move that has stirred fierce debate across Somalia’s federal landscape, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has signed into law a controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill that dramatically expands the powers of the region’s intelligence and security forces.
The law, approved by the Puntland Parliament in late July, was officially enacted this week following the president’s signature — a decision that legal experts and civil society groups warn could erode constitutional protections and normalize warrantless surveillance.
Under the new provisions, security forces may now enter private homes, offices, or vehicles without a judicial warrant when pursuing individuals suspected of terrorism.
The law also grants intelligence agencies broad powers to monitor phone calls, track digital communications, and detain suspects for extended periods without immediate court oversight.
“Exceptional Powers” — or a Constitutional Breach?
While the government argues the law is a necessary response to the growing ISIS presence in the Bari mountains, legal critics say it undermines Article 21 of the Puntland Constitution, which protects citizens from unauthorized searches and surveillance except in emergencies involving an active crime.
“This law blurs the line between national security and individual freedom,” said one Garowe-based constitutional lawyer, speaking to WARYATV under condition of anonymity. “It allows executive forces to interpret ‘terrorism’ as they wish — a dangerous precedent in a fragile democracy.”
The new law introduces harsh penalties, including up to 20 years in prison or the death penalty for anyone convicted of joining or materially supporting terrorist organizations. Human rights groups have voiced concern that the broad definitions could be used to silence journalists, opposition figures, or clerics under the guise of counterterrorism.
Deni’s Security Gamble
President Deni defended the measure as “an urgent necessity to defend the people of Puntland from extremist infiltration.”
His administration has launched an aggressive campaign against ISIS cells entrenched in the Cal Miskaad mountains, pledging a final phase to root out militants and their financial backers.
“This is a war for the survival of our state,” a senior official in Puntland’s Security told WARYATV, adding that the law “gives our forces the legal mandate they need to act decisively.”
However, internal sources within Garowe’s government hinted that the law also consolidates Deni’s political control, giving his security apparatus a freer hand in intelligence operations and detention procedures — just months ahead of a tense political season.
Between Security and Liberty
For many in Puntland, the law represents a grim trade-off between public safety and civil rights. “We understand the fear of terrorism,” said a university lecturer in Bosaso, “but fear should not write our laws.”
Diplomatic observers told WARYATV that international partners — including the UN and EU — are closely monitoring how the law is implemented, particularly in relation to human rights obligations under Somalia’s federal framework.
Whether this move strengthens Puntland’s counterterrorism campaign or opens the door to unchecked authoritarian practices may soon define the next chapter of Deni’s leadership — and the region’s fragile experiment in semi-autonomous governance.
