In brief
- On 14 August 2023, Somali Guardian reported that Puntland regional troops mutinied over unpaid salaries and closed the key highway between Garowe and Galkayo.
- Dozens of trucks carrying food and supplies to central Somalia were stranded in Harfo, and vehicles heading to Bosaso were refused use of the road.
- The report did not establish the highway's current status or whether Puntland authorities have since commented.
On 14 August 2023, Somali Guardian reported that members of Puntland regional troops staged a mutiny over unpaid salaries and closed a key highway linking Garowe, the capital of Puntland, to the town of Galkayo.
The report, which carried a Mogadishu dateline and cited Caasimada Online, said dozens of trucks carrying food and other supplies en route to central Somalia were stranded in the town of Harfo. Vehicles heading to the commercial port city of Bosaso were also refused permission to use the road due to the mutiny, according to Somali Guardian.
Puntland authorities had not commented on the development at the time of publication, the report said, adding that troops had made similar moves months earlier.
The Somali Guardian report does not establish what has happened since. It does not state whether the highway remains closed, whether Puntland authorities have since responded, or how long the closure lasted.
For construction and logistics firms operating in Puntland, the Garowe-Galkayo corridor is a critical freight route connecting the region's administrative center with central Somalia. The reported closure would disrupt supply chains and delay project deliveries if it continued. However, without further reporting or official confirmation, no current status can be assumed.
Transport operators and logistics firms depending on the Garowe-Galkayo corridor should monitor local sources for updates, as no further reporting or official confirmation is available in this item.
Frequently asked questions
Which road was closed in Puntland?
The highway linking Garowe, the capital of Puntland, to Galkayo was closed, according to Somali Guardian's 14 August 2023 report.
Why did the troops close the road?
Somali Guardian, citing Caasimada Online, reported that the troops staged a mutiny over unpaid salaries.
How did the closure affect freight?
Dozens of trucks carrying food and supplies to central Somalia were stranded in Harfo, and vehicles heading to Bosaso were refused road use.