Garowe – (Hornpost) The Council of Ministers of Puntland has announced the establishment of the Puntland Identification and Registration Authority (PID), a move officials say will safeguard the region’s administrative interests amid Somalia’s ongoing rollout of the national ID card system.
President Said Abdullahi Deni and Vice President Ahmed Elise Isman chaired this week’s cabinet meeting in Garowe, where several decisions were reached.
In a press statement, the Presidency outlined the following resolutions:
Key Decisions from the Cabinet:
The Ministry of Security will resume responsibility for issuing residence and entry permits to foreign nationals arriving in Puntland.
The Puntland Identification and Registration Authority (PID) will officially begin operations on 1 January 2026.
Ministers were briefed on the current drought situation affecting various parts of Puntland.
The cabinet approved, by majority vote, the confirmation of Ceelbuh and Baraagaha-Qol as official districts, following earlier declarations by President Deni.
The council also received a proposed amendment to the Puntland Law on Regional and District Administration, and Local Councils. The draft was submitted by the Ministry of Interior for reading, debate, and approval in upcoming cabinet sessions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Environment presented reports and recommendations on how to address the growing threat of advancing sand dunes affecting communities across Puntland.
Office of the Presidential Press, Puntland State of Somalia.
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Background: Growing Dispute Over ID Systems between Puntland and Somalia.
The decision comes as the Federal Government in Mogadishu implements a national ID card program designed to unify civil registration across Somalia. Puntland has opposed the rollout, insisting that federal and state powers must first be clearly defined.
“Puntland supports modern identification systems, but decisions that affect all Somalis must go through lawful consultation,” an official from the Presidency said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
Federal officials have previously argued that a unified national ID is critical for security, elections, banking, and travel.
Analyst View:
Political analysts say the move will likely widen the debate over power-sharing inside Somalia’s federal structure.
“This is part of Puntland’s long-standing push to maintain administrative autonomy,” said a regional political researcher. “But if negotiations improve in the future, the PID could still be linked with the national database.”
Facts: What is the Puntland Identification and Registration Authority (PID)?
A new government agency responsible for issuing Puntland ID cards and maintaining citizen records scheduled to begin operating on 1 January 2026.
Seen as a response to Somalia’s federal ID rollout, expected to integrate residency, population statistics, and migration control services.
Pictures :
Prepared by
Hornpost staff Reporter
