Hassan Sheikh: There is no conflict between Federal Govt and Puntland

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed claims of a strained relationship between his government and Puntland, adding that those fuelling speculations are basing their assumptions on "non-existent" narratives which are against the values of nation-building.

At a Town Hall meeting in Mogadishu, the president insisted that he will dispatch three Federal Member State [FMS] leaders to Garowe to discuss existing concerns for the sake of tranquility and mutual cooperation between all member states and the federal government of Somalia.

There is no dispute between FGS and Puntland currently," said Hassan Sheikh while lauding the role of federalism in the state-building process of Somalia, a country that has struggled with instability for the last three decades due to conflict and the Al-Shabaab menace.

Puntland boycotted the last NCC forum in Baidoa in March 2023 and prior to the talks, Puntland announced in January that it will act as an ‘independent state’ from Somalia’s government due to a fallout.

Said Abdullahi Deni, the current Puntland leader, has been struggling to strike cohesiveness between his government and the federal system but his shortcomings have also manifested themselves in internal wrangles which involve his administration and the opposition.

Of controversy is voter registration for council elections which the opposition termed as "fraudulent and undemocratic". There are also political undertones that he could be preparing to push for an extension of his term through the backdoor with his mandate set to elapse in 7 months.

Mohamed Farole, a senior security expert and economist, opines that the Puntland leadership should put the interests of the people first as enshrined in the federal constitution. He adds that the people of Puntland do not need leaders who hold them "hostage" for political reasons.

"Puntland needs leaders who prioritize the interests of Somalis over their own, bringing important points to the table, building a Somali gov't with a clear constitution defining federal and state powers, and ensuring a brighter future for all. Puntland's people don't need leaders who hold them, hostage," Mohamed says.

Puntland is the oldest federal state of Somalia and was considered one of the most stable state governments until recently when internal political wrangles started emanating over the controversial local election process. 

GAROWE ONLINE