Garowe, PUNTLAND – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni today spoke at the Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC) annual peace conference in Garowe. He delivered a powerful message to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), urging it to work towards preserving the country’s statehood, constitution, and unity. Deni warned against the continuation of divisive policies that could necessitate a conference akin to the Arta process. His speech underscored the growing tensions between Puntland and the FGS and highlighted the urgent need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to governance in Somalia.
President Deni pleads for unity at a critical juncture in Somalia’s history, as the country grapples with a range of complex challenges that threaten its stability and cohesion. Somalia faces a perfect storm of crises that demand a unified and coordinated response from all stakeholders. These challenges include the ongoing threat of Al-Shabab, the planned withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), deepening political divisions, and the controversy surrounding the FGS’s recent constitutional changes.
Puntland’s Perspective
President Deni’s speech expresses a deep concern for the future of Somalia’s federal system and the integrity of its constitution. Puntland has long championed decentralization and regional autonomy. It has watched with growing alarm as the FGS has pursued policies that threaten to undermine the delicate balance of power between the central government and the federal member states.
The FGS has recently pushed for controversial constitutional amendments, which it passed without adequate consultation with stakeholders. Critics widely view these amendments as an attempt to centralize power in Mogadishu, causing particular concern for Puntland. Deni warns that such divisive policies could lead to a situation where Somalia requires a conference similar to the Arta process – which laid the groundwork for the country’s federal system in the early 2000s. This warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for a complete breakdown of the country’s political order.
Puntland’s perspective on these issues stems from a deep commitment to the principles of federalism and constitutionalism. Puntland views the federal system not just as a political arrangement but as a fundamental guarantee of regional autonomy and a bulwark against the centralization of power. President Deni, by calling on the FGS to work towards preserving Somalia’s statehood and constitution, not only defends Puntland’s interests but also advocates for a vision of Somalia that respects the rights and aspirations of all its people.
