Mogadishu, Somalia – In a sharp rebuke to Somalia’s federal leadership, Said Abdullahi Deni, the president of Puntland, a Sami autonomous state in northern Somalia delivered a stern warning, warning that the current political trajectory could have serious consequences for the nation
In a strongly worded address he delivered in Garowe on Saturday, Deni singled out Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and regional state leaders, urging them to uphold constitutional principles, calling for increased accountability at the federal level.
“It is critical that we safeguard the constitution and other legal frameworks that bind the Somali people together,” Deni said, referencing rising concerns over recent controversial constitutional amendments spearheaded by President Mohamud.
The amendments have sparked significant opposition across the country, with federal states, including Puntland, expressing concerns over the centralization of power in Mogadishu.
Deni’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction within Somalia’s federal system, as regional governments feel increasingly sidelined by the federal government’s approach to governance.
Many see the controversial reforms as a step backward, potentially undermining the federal arrangement that has been a cornerstone of post-civil war efforts to decentralize power.
“Somalia should not be pushed back to another collapse and then rebuilt through another broad-based reconciliation conference,” Deni warned, alluding to Somalia’s history of political instability and reconciliation efforts.
He referred specifically to the 2000 Djibouti-hosted Arte conference, which led to the formation of a transitional government but failed to create lasting stability.
“The time for gathering Somalis again under the banner of reconciliation is over. We must not retreat to earlier approaches, but instead address where things are faltering and adjust accordingly,” he said.
Deni’s criticism highlights a growing rift between Somalia’s federal government and regional states, which accuse President Hassan Sheikh of attempting to consolidate power.
This political discord has only deepened amid ongoing tensions over the constitutional changes, with many fearing these reforms could dismantle the country’s fragile federal structure and revert it to a centralized governance model.
Meanwhile, Puntland leader’s outspoken remarks underline the political fragility that still pervades Somalia, as federal and regional authorities struggle to maintain a delicate balance of power.
Relations between the federal government and Puntland have been strained since 2022, ultimately resulting in Puntland cutting ties with the Somali government.
For a nation still recovering from decades of conflict, the path forward appears uncertain, with leaders facing the challenge of advancing without repeating past mistakes.
Despite facing growing outrage over the recent reforms, President Hassan Sheikh has dismissed the concerns, vowing that his administration will proceed with their implementation, a stance that has further deepened the political divide between Mogadishu and the federal states.
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