Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Madobe have accused the Federal Government of Somalia of overstepping its constitutional bounds and using federal powers to suppress dissenting regional states.
In a joint press release issued this morning from Garowe, the two regional leaders called on the international community to engage directly with Somalia’s Federal Member States until a comprehensive national agreement is reached on equitable resource sharing.
Their primary grievance centers on the management of Somali airspace. Deni and Madobe allege that the Federal Government has unlawfully monopolized airspace control, violating established federal agreements. They added that they have formally submitted a complaint to the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding this issue.
The leaders also rejected the recent amendments made to Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, declaring them illegitimate. They insisted that any constitutional changes must stem from inclusive national dialogue and mutual consensus.
Deni and Madobe expressed support for the efforts of the National Salvation Forum, a coalition of Somali opposition figures, and called for unity in upholding constitutional order.
Finally, they urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to respect the agreed-upon constitution and to work toward holding inclusive and credible national elections. They warned that if these calls are ignored, Puntland and Jubbaland will exercise the autonomous powers granted to them under their respective regional constitutions.
