Puntland Rejects President’s National Dialogue, Citing Constitutional Violations

GAROWE, Somalia – Puntland state has announced it will not participate in the national consultative forum proposed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing the federal government of failing to uphold the country’s constitution and legal framework.

Puntland’s Minister of Justice, Mohamed Abdiwahab, said on Tuesday that the northeastern Federal State will not engage in any form of dialogue with the federal government unless it “returns to constitutional order” and agrees to a genuine national consultation process.

“The federal government has deviated from the constitution agreed upon in August 2012 and is pushing a political agenda without consensus,” Abdiwahab said at a press briefing in Garowe. He added that Puntland’s participation in the forum is contingent on several conditions.

These include a return to the 2012 provisional constitution, the acceptance of a broad-based national consultation process, recognition of the recent Jubbaland elections, and agreement on a nationwide election based on consensus and inclusivity. He also accused the National Consultative Council of transforming into a political party, undermining its original mandate.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently announced the launch of a national dialogue conference scheduled to begin in Mogadishu on June 15, 2025. The forum is intended to bring together political leaders and civil society representatives to strengthen unity, build trust, and advance Somalia’s state-building process.

However, Puntland’s boycott adds to growing tensions between the federal government and member states, raising questions over the inclusivity and legitimacy of the upcoming political dialogue.

GAROWE ONLINE