Mogadishu, Somalia – Former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on Thursday made a startling disclosure, claiming that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has refused to engage in dialogue with the leaders of Jubbaland and Puntland, two of the country’s most influential federal member states.
Speaking at a press briefing in Mogadishu, Roble alleged that President Mohamud had “openly divulged to opposition figures” during recent discussions at Villa Somalia that he would not sit down with Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe or Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni. According to Roble, the president insisted that the responsibility of resolving political rifts with the two states “would be left to his successor.”
The remarks, if confirmed, risk deepening mistrust between Villa Somalia and the administrations of Kismayo and Garowe, both of which have had strained relations with the federal government. Puntland has been a vocal critic of Mogadishu’s federalism policies, while Jubbaland has repeatedly clashed with the central government over security and resource-sharing issues.
Roble, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2020 to 2022, described the president’s stance as a “missed opportunity” for reconciliation at a time when Somalia faces escalating security threats, economic pressures, and urgent humanitarian needs.
“This country cannot move forward if dialogue is selectively applied. Leaving core political disputes to the next administration is not a solution—it is postponing a crisis,” Roble told reporters.
The revelation comes as Somalia grapples with multiple challenges, including ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab, negotiations over the future of the African Union peacekeeping mission, and the implementation of constitutional reforms. Analysts warn that unresolved disputes with Puntland and Jubbaland could undermine federal cohesion and weaken national security coordination.
Neither Villa Somalia nor the offices of the Puntland and Jubbaland presidents immediately issued a response to Roble’s claims. However, political insiders suggest that the statement could intensify calls for an inclusive national dialogue involving all federal member states.
If President Mohamud indeed intends to leave the matter unresolved, Somalia may enter the next election cycle with a fragmented political landscape, raising concerns about governance and the durability of its fragile federal system.
