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MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali (Xoosh), has issued a sharp rebuke to Puntland’s leadership over a delegation that attended the 35th anniversary celebrations of Somaliland’s self-declared independence in Hargeisa, warning that exploiting national divisions will not bring political success.

Speaking on Monday, May 18, Minister Xoosh indirectly criticised Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, stating that support for the secessionist cause cannot be used to win political votes or gain electoral advantage. He emphasised that Somalia’s unity is a national matter that cannot be compromised. “No one will achieve political success, nor can anyone win political votes from Somalis by hyping up the division of Somalia while undermining the political will of the people of the North‑East,” Xoosh said, referring directly to the Puntland administration.

The minister’s remarks were prompted by a traditional delegation led by Yasin Muse Boqor, a member of the Traditional Elders, that travelled to Hargeisa on May 18 to participate in the anniversary celebrations. The delegation stated that it “respects Somaliland’s existence” and that Puntland supports the secessionist cause. Those comments sparked intense political debate and quickly went viral on social media. The visit is the first time a delegation publicly identified with Puntland has attended the annual May 18 commemoration, an event long regarded as one of the most politically symbolic dates in Somaliland’s calendar.

The delegation’s trip came at a time of already strained relations between the federal government and Puntland. President Deni has repeatedly accused Villa Somalia of undermining the federal system and centralising power. He led the opposition delegation in US‑mediated talks at Mogadishu’s Halane compound in mid‑May, which collapsed without a breakthrough. After the failure of those talks, Deni declared that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term had expired under the 2012 Provisional Constitution, a claim the federal government has rejected, insisting that the president remains in office until May 2027 under constitutional amendments passed in March 2026. Puntland has also formally rejected the amendments, warning that they threaten national unity.

Minister Xoosh has previously attempted to mediate between the two sides. Shortly after his appointment, he stated his intention to resolve issues concerning Puntland through dialogue, and he has also asked the Upper House of Parliament to help mediate the federal‑Puntland dispute. However, the latest incident has further deepened the rift. The Puntland delegation’s presence at the Hargeisa celebrations is viewed by many observers as politically significant, raising questions about whether it signals a broader political recalibration between the two administrations. For the federal government, any gesture perceived as legitimising Somaliland’s separation is unacceptable, and Minister Xoosh’s comments reflect Mogadishu’s determination to counter any attempt to undermine the country’s territorial integrity.

The Federal Government of Somalia continues to reject Somaliland’s independence claims and insists on maintaining national unity. After Israel recognised Somaliland as a sovereign state in December 2025, Mogadishu initiated a diplomatic drive to defend the nation’s sovereignty, engaging leaders from various countries and international organisations to oppose the move. The African Union and many UN member states have reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

As the political standoff between Mogadishu and Garowe intensifies, Minister Xoosh’s warning underscores the federal government’s firm line: exploiting the national division for political gain is not a path to success. Whether the Puntland delegation’s trip to Hargeisa was a one‑off symbolic gesture or the start of a more fundamental political shift remains to be seen. For now, it has added yet another layer of tension to Somalia’s already volatile political landscape.