Somalia: Puntland Accuses Federal Government of Hindering Education Cooperation

Garowe, Somalia, May 30, 2026 – Puntland's education minister has accused Somalia's federal government of obstructing efforts to strengthen cooperation in the education sector and secure support from international partners, highlighting growing tensions between the semi-autonomous region and Mogadishu.

Speaking at the launch of Puntland's 2025-2026 national certificate examinations, Education Minister Fuad Abshir Ahmed said Puntland had spent more than a year seeking dialogue and cooperation with Somalia's federal education ministry but had failed to reach an agreement on key issues related to the administration and management of education.

"The development of education and the realisation of the right to education require cooperation across all levels of government," the minister said, stressing the need for coordination between federal, regional and local authorities.

Ahmed said Puntland believes educational goals cannot be achieved without full collaboration among government institutions, arguing that the absence of such cooperation has undermined efforts to improve the sector.

He also revealed that Puntland officials had refrained for a long time from publicly discussing disagreements with the federal government but had now concluded that it was necessary to openly address the challenges facing the relationship.

The remarks came as more than 25,000 students across Puntland sat for secondary and middle school leaving examinations, one of the region's largest annual education assessments.

The dispute reflects broader strains between Puntland and the federal government over governance and institutional authority, with education emerging as another area of contention between the two sides.

GAROWE ONLINE