GAROWE, Puntland – The Puntland government has suspended all operations and projects linked to the SIDRA Research Institute, multiple sources close to the institute confirmed to Arlaadi Media Network this week. The abrupt suspension comes amid growing tensions between the administration of President Said Abdullahi Deni and political opposition groups.
Founded by Guuleed Salah, a prominent opposition politician who challenged President Deni in the 2019 Puntland presidential elections, SIDRA has established itself as a leading think tank in Somalia’s northeast region.
Over the past several years, the institute has produced research on governance, security, and development — often viewed as critical of the current administration.
The Puntland authorities have yet to issue an official statement explaining the suspension, leaving the political community and civil society organizations to speculate about the motive behind the decision.
However, sources familiar with internal discussions told Arlaadi Media that the action is believed to be directly tied to SIDRA’s alleged involvement in providing commentary for a recent report published by Middle East Eye.
That report detailed the controversial deployment of an Israeli-manufactured radar system by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Bosaso Airport.
The installation of the radar has sparked fierce debate both locally and regionally, drawing criticism from various Somali political actors concerned about foreign influence and sovereignty.
SIDRA’s alleged input into the report is thought to have infuriated Puntland officials, further straining the already fragile relationship between the institute and the regional government.
In response to growing speculation, a senior Puntland official speaking on condition of anonymity rejected the claims that the suspension was retaliatory. Instead, the official accused SIDRA of “engaging in activities that undermine Puntland’s stability”.
“SIDRA has been manufacturing bogus reports used by foreign actors, specifically those aligned with Turkish-Qatari interests, to fuel a propaganda campaign against the Puntland government,” the official said. “Their work is part of an unprecedented disinformation warfare targeting our administration and Puntland’s strategic partnerships.”
The official characterized the controversy surrounding the Bosaso radar system as “an orchestrated smear campaign” driven by external powers seeking to destabilize Puntland and strain its relations with the UAE.
SIDRA has yet to comment publicly on the suspension. Attempts by Arlaadi Media Network to reach its leadership for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
This latest development adds a new layer of complexity to Puntland’s political landscape, where issues of foreign relations, internal opposition, and control of narratives are increasingly intertwined. Analysts warn that moves perceived as targeting independent research institutions could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and civil discourse in Puntland.
