Puntland Warns of Somalia's Collapse Under Current Leadership, Cites Constitutional Violations

GAROWE, Somalia — Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, Vice President of Puntland, has issued a stark warning about the future of Somalia, labeling President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his team as "the most dangerous team in politics."

In a speech in Garowe city that deepened the rift between Puntland and the federal government in Mogadishu, Lugatoor expressed grave concerns that Somalia could face collapse under the current leadership due to violation of the constitution which is the only bond that holds together the country's governance at Federal and State levels.

Lugatoor's comments follow a series of contentious constitutional amendments pushed through by President Hassan Sheikh, which Puntland perceives as an attempt to centralize power. This move has been met with resistance from Puntland, Somalia's oldest federal member state, which sees these changes as a threat to the country's federal system.

The escalation of rhetoric comes at a time when Puntland has begun to assert its autonomy more vigorously, including engaging directly with international entities without Mogadishu's involvement.

Lugatoor's statement not only underscores the tensions but also highlights the potential for further fragmentation within Somalia, a nation already grappling with stability and security issues, including the ongoing threat from al-Shabab militants.

The Vice President's warning adds another layer of complexity to Somalia's political landscape, raising questions about the unity and governance of the Horn of Africa nation.

The statement reflects not just a political disagreement but a profound concern over the direction Somalia is heading under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's leadership, potentially setting the stage for more significant conflicts within the federal framework of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE