GAROWE — Authorities in Puntland have expressed concern that Somalia is experiencing a constitutional vacuum with escalating political uncertainty, advocating for immediate consultations to avert potential instability.
According to a statement released by the Puntland Council of Ministers following a meeting chaired by President Said Abdullahi Deni alongside Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, Somalia’s provisional constitution mandates the expiration of the Federal Parliament’s constitutional mandate on April 14, 2026, as stipulated in Article 60. The statement further highlighted that the presidential term concludes on May 15, 2026, as outlined in Article 91.
The northeastern Federal State emphasized that federal institutions now face constitutional ambiguity, cautioning that the nation may descend into political fragmentation and security challenges.
Call for Urgent National Conference
Puntland has called upon President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to protect national unity by organizing an urgent conference prior to the end of his term. The objective is to establish mutual agreement on elections for federal institutions, including parliament and the presidency, along with electoral processes for federal member states.
The declaration stressed the importance of stakeholder consensus to prevent additional political conflicts and maintain uninterrupted governance. The Council urged the outgoing president to utilize his final remaining month in office to foster an inclusive political settlement that could lead to a mutually agreed-upon election.
Deni Accuses Federal Government of Undermining Federalism
President Deni has previously accused the Somali federal government of attempting to dismantle the nation’s federal framework, warning that policies purportedly backed by allies of President Mohamud threaten to fracture Somalia regionally. Speaking to military officials in Qardho, Deni specifically pointed to comments allegedly made by presidential adviser Sheikh Ali Wajiis, which he claimed advocate for direct federal administration over Somalia’s regions.
“The rhetoric from Ali Wajiis, which I suspect mirrors President Hassan Sheikh’s own stance, suggests placing Puntland’s territories under direct, region-by-region federal authority,” Deni stated.
He argued that such centralization would reverse years of painstaking political dialogue and institutional development. Having built its own governance and security infrastructure over more than two decades, Puntland stands to lose hard-won stability if these institutions are dismantled, he warned.
Puntland Warns of Federal Intervention
President Deni has instructed regional forces to maintain heightened readiness and prepare for potential military action by Somalia’s federal government, warning against a repeat of the scenario that led to the ousting of South West State leader Abdiasis Laftagareen. Speaking to regional security officials, Deni cautioned that developments in other federal member states could potentially unfold in Puntland, urging security personnel to make all necessary preparations for such an eventuality.
Deni accused President Mohamud of attempting to consolidate power and dismantle the federal system that has governed Somalia for more than two decades. He noted that similar messages had been conveyed previously by the president and characterized such centralization as an existential threat to the current federal system.
Accusations of Federal Destabilization Efforts
Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor has accused Villa Somalia of utilizing substantial resources to destabilize the region during the final months of the current administration’s term. Speaking at a gathering in Garowe, Lugatoor urged state leadership and citizens to exercise heightened vigilance.
“Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has roughly one hundred and ten days remaining in his term, is engaged in destructive activities,” Vice President Lugatoor stated. “Consequently, we must defend ourselves… This year, we will concentrate intensely on defense.”
Tensions have further escalated following reports that federal funds were distributed directly to specific troops deployed within Puntland. These units were historically part of the Puntland military but were subsequently integrated into the Somali National Army. Puntland’s Presidential Security Advisor disclosed that there are currently 1,376 soldiers stationed within the state whose salaries are financed directly by the federal government.
Puntland Accuses Federal Government of Arming Clan Militias
Authorities in Puntland have explicitly accused President Mohamud of arming clan militias to destabilize and undermine the regional administration. Faysal Ali Jifo-Jabsade, the Puntland governor of the Mudug region, stated that the federal government had purposefully failed to support Puntland’s ongoing military campaign against ISIS militants operating in the Al-Miskad mountains.
According to the governor, the president not only declined official requests for assistance during the offensive but also actively blocked injured regional fighters from receiving critical medical treatment in the capital. Jifo-Jabsade alleged that some wounded personnel were systematically denied the passports needed to travel abroad for specialized treatment, while others were explicitly refused admission to hospitals in Mogadishu by federal authorities.
Potential Independent Elections
Amid the national electoral deadlock, Puntland authorities have indicated that they may proceed with independent regional elections if no national agreement is reached on Somalia’s electoral framework before the expiration of federal mandates. Puntland officials indicated that, should the mandates of the Federal Parliament (April 14, 2026) and the President (May 15, 2026) expire without a consensus-based electoral arrangement, the region could conduct elections under its own constitutional framework to prevent a governance vacuum.
Escalating Political Confrontation
The escalating confrontation between Garowe and Mogadishu extends beyond rhetoric. President Deni has vowed to remain in Mogadishu until President Mohamud’s current term concludes, a strategic decision coinciding with the formation of the Somali Future Council, a political coalition uniting Puntland and Jubaland leaders with key opposition figures.
Deni has accused Villa Somalia of attempting to “monopolize power” and push unilateral constitutional amendments without consensus from federal member states. The dispute extends to the 2026 election model, with opposition groups rejecting the “one-person, one-vote” framework, arguing that such a fundamental change requires broader agreement among all federal stakeholders.
Federalism Under Pressure
These escalating tensions highlight the fragile nature of Somalia’s federal compact, established in the 2012 Provisional Constitution. Political disagreements have intensified across the country, with ongoing division and persistent disputes reinforcing concerns among many Somalis who doubt the federal system’s suitability for the nation.
As the federal government pushes for greater centralization, Puntland continues to position itself as a defender of the federal principle, insisting that Somalia’s unity must be built on mutual consent rather than imposed authority.
Statement to the International Community
In addition to federal political matters, the Puntland Council officially approved the “Healthcare Cost Recovery Policy” presented by the Ministry of Health, a strategic plan aimed at helping Puntland achieve long-term self-sufficiency in healthcare services amid declining international aid.
The session concluded with the Council reviewing departmental briefings from the Ministries of Justice, Security, Interior, Environment, Planning, Public Works, and Energy, Minerals, and Water.
