(30-05-23) BOSASO — President Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland, has registered a formidable opposition to the decisions reached at the National Consultative Council (NCC) concluded in Mogadishu on Sunday. Adopting an uncompromising stance against the NCC, President Deni voiced vehement opposition, flagging concerns over potential destabilisation of Somalia.
Deni’s comments come as he addressed a gathering in Bosaso on Tuesday, the commercial capital of Puntland, where he took a hardline against the forum’s resolutions. “Puntland did not partake in this decision-making process. The recent developments do not implicate us, and much like previous similar circumstances, we do not approve of them,” Deni categorically stated.
The Puntland leader underlined the fraught history of political power distribution and governance structure in Somalia, cautioning that the ongoing discussions around these matters are a “dangerous issue”. His stern warnings come amid growing disputes about the political structure and balance of power in the Horn of Africa nation.
“Any potentially hazardous changes to the system will not be accepted. The consensus reached at the 1991 Djibouti conference, and later in Embegati, was clear: maintain a parliamentary system inclusive of a president and a prime minister,” Deni stated, reiterating Puntland’s stance on the matter.
Deni further admonished President Hassan Sheikh’s attempts at consolidating power and superseding the Prime Minister’s role, labelling it as a “power grab”. He lauded the Puntland state constitution, which he asserted has the ability to override the NCC decisions, describing them as “dead on arrival”.
Echoing the same sentiments, Deni cast aspersions on Prime Minister Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s actions, accusing him of dismantling the power-sharing mechanism. He warned, “Such a move is perilous for the state of Somalia.”
Committing to Puntland’s autonomy, Deni promised independent action until the Somali government adheres to the agreements and laws of the country. “Our constitution empowers us with ample autonomy until a government that upholds the rule of law of federalism is established in Somalia,” Deni noted.
Deni’s speech highlights the ongoing tensions between the Federal Government of Somalia and its semi-autonomous states. He urged for the inclusion of Somaliland in all crucial decision-making discussions, emphasising that Somalia’s stability cannot be achieved without collective problem-solving.
Further expressing his disappointment, he critiqued President Hassan Sheikh’s actions, particularly his disregard for the established power-sharing agreement.
In his concluding remarks, Deni underscored that Puntland’s constitution guides the state’s actions, insisting that it will continue to operate independently until a stable Somali government is established.
