Profile: General Jim'ale Jama Takar – A key figure in Puntland's political conflict

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Profile: General Jim'ale Jama Takar – A key figure in Puntland's political conflict

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER – A violent clash between Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) loyal to President Said Abdullahi Deni's and military units supporting the opposition resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, with over 15 oth

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General Jim'ale Jama Takar. | PHOTO/ FILE.

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER – A violent clash between Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) loyal to President Said Abdullahi Deni's and military units supporting the opposition resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, with over 15 others sustaining injuries on Tuesday, according to local medics.

The confrontations occurred in Garowe, the capital of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, triggered by a dispute over constitutional amendments and opposing factions within the region’s political landscape.

General Jim’ale Jama Takar emerges as a prominent figure leading the opposition forces in Garowe.

Over the past year, General Jim’ale has played a central role in several violent clashes that unfolded in the region. Notably, at least three major clashes occurred between his loyal forces and the regional security forces, fueling tensions within the Puntland political sphere.

So who is General Jim’ale and what do we know about him?

General Jim’ale Jama Takar is a former officer of the Somali national army who served in the 21st battalion as a junior officer. He gained experience during the intense civil war in the 1990s when he joined the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), a major Majerten-led political and paramilitary group that fought against the regime of Somalia’s late dictator, Mohamed Siyad Barre.

Following the formation of Puntland in 1998, General Jim’ale and his forces became part of the Puntland Darwish force. This brigade, under the command of General Jim’ale Jama Takar, consists of approximately 600 to 700 armed men equipped with heavy machine guns and artillery. They have now re-branded under the name "Danab” meaning ‘lightning’.

General Jim’ale and his forces have been actively engaged in various military operations. They played a crucial role in combating the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab in the mountainous region of Galgala.

They were deployed to coastal towns in the Nugal region, such as Garmaal and Suuj, to counter al-Shabaab incursions in 2016.

Political Connections

Former Puntland president Abdirahman Farole, who shares the same clan affiliation, appointed General Jim’ale as a general in the Puntland Darwish force. This appointment came as part of efforts to strengthen the regional military by incorporating newly trained units from Uganda and Ethiopia, facilitated through then transitional federal government of Somalia.

According to sources, General Jim’ale has been vocal about various issues, including unpaid salaries and perceived grievances which contributed to his dissatisfaction and involvement in protests against the Puntland state authorities.

During the Laascaanood conflict between Somaliland forces and the Dhulbahante clan militia on February 6, General Jim’ale and his troops joined the war by fighting alongside their fellow Dhulbahante clan forces. However, some of his men and vehicles were reportedly captured by Somaliland military during the battle.

In April, when politicians from the Majerten/Isse Mohamud faction opposed President Said Abdullahi Deni of Majerten/Osman Mohamud’s push for direct elections, General Jim’ale and his heavily armed forces were deployed to Garowe. They aligned themselves with the opposition politicians and began rebelling against the Puntland state security forces.

As the situation remains volatile in Puntland, the actions and influence of General Jim’ale Jama Takar continue to shape the ongoing conflict between the PMPF and the opposition forces in Puntland’s capital.