Puntland Calls Somali President’s New Political Party a “Power Grab” and a Threat to Federal System

BOSASO, Somalia – May 14, 2025 – Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni delivered a sharp critique on Wednesday of the new political party launched by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, calling it a blatant “power grab” aimed at destabilizing the country’s fragile federal and governance structures.

In a statement released by his office, Deni expressed deep concerns over the formation of the Justice and Solidarity Party, accusing the move of signaling a dangerous shift toward centralizing political control in Mogadishu, undermining the delicate balance of power between Somalia's federal states.

"This is a direct attack on the integrity of Somalia's federal system, and it threatens the stability of the nation," Deni said. "Is dismantling the Jubaland state now the definition of unity? Those preaching togetherness are tearing the country apart."

Deni also pointed to the party's formation as a key factor behind Puntland’s decision to withdraw from the National Consultative Council (NCC) meetings, a platform for dialogue between Somalia’s federal government and regional leaders. He criticized the move as reflecting a broader strategy to erode the autonomy of regional governments in favor of a more centralized, Mogadishu-led political order.

The comments have further strained relations between the Puntland administration and the Somali federal government, which is already grappling with internal divisions and challenges related to governance, security, and political unity.

Somalia’s political landscape has been marked by regional tensions, with Puntland and Jubaland frequently clashing with Mogadishu over issues of governance and territorial integrity. Deni’s remarks underscore the growing discontent in Somalia's federal states about what they perceive as an overreach by the central government.

GAROWE ONLINE