Garowe, Somalia — Puntland’s regional government accused Somalia’s federal authorities of abandoning the principles of unity and power-sharing, escalating tensions between the two administrations.
Mohamed Abdirahman Faroole, Puntland’s minister for environment and climate change, said the federal government under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had concentrated power in Mogadishu and marginalized regional states.
“Somalia’s statehood has been reduced to one man — President Hassan Sheikh,” Faroole said in a statement, accusing the federal government of sidelining Puntland and other federal member states from key national decisions.
He reaffirmed support for Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni’s 2022 decision to withdraw from the National Consultative Council, a move that highlighted Puntland’s dissatisfaction with the federal government’s handling of power-sharing arrangements.
“The process today is neither inclusive nor representative,” Faroole said, adding that Puntland rejects unilateral decision-making that excludes regional governments.
The escalating political rift comes amid ongoing security challenges and a fragile political transition in Somalia.
Somalia’s federal government has yet to respond to the latest accusations from Puntland.
Analysts warn that deepening divisions between Mogadishu and regional administrations could undermine efforts to stabilize the country and build lasting institutions.
