Puntland has officially declared it will not participate in the national consultation initiative recently launched by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The regional administration cited the Federal Government’s failure to uphold the country’s constitution and legal framework as the key reason for its withdrawal.
Speaking at a press conference, Puntland’s Minister of Justice, Mohamed Abdiwahab, firmly stated that Puntland will not engage in any dialogue with the Federal Government unless it returns to constitutional norms and commits to a genuine national consultation process.
The minister outlined several conditions for Puntland’s participation, including:
- A return to the agreed-upon provisional constitution of August 2012,
- Acceptance of a truly inclusive national consultation, noting that the current National Consultative Council has transformed into a partisan political entity,
- A consensual, inclusive national election,
- And formal recognition of the Jubbaland elections.
He further criticized President Hassan Sheikh’s leadership, accusing him of consistently ignoring public calls over the past three years that the government is veering off course.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently announced the opening of a National Consultation Forum for Political and Community Leaders, scheduled to begin in Mogadishu on June 15, 2025. He described the initiative as a crucial opportunity to strengthen dialogue, rebuild trust, and enhance cooperation among political actors and community leaders for the sake of national unity and development.
However, Puntland’s strong stance now casts doubt on the inclusiveness and effectiveness of the upcoming forum, signaling deeper fractures in Somalia’s state-building process.
