Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has rejected the national consultation forum convened by Somalia’s federal government, calling it a symbolic exercise and instead advocating for a broad-based summit that delivers joint national decisions.
The forum comes as Somalia prepares for elections in 2026 and faces increasing pressure to finalize its provisional constitution and transition toward a more inclusive, stable political order.
Speaking Sunday, the day the forum was scheduled to begin in Mogadishu before being postponed, Deni said Somalia does not need consultative gatherings where decisions are predetermined by the federal government. “This country needs serious dialogue that leads to collective decisions—not forums where input is taken, but decisions are made unilaterally,” he said.
Deni’s remarks reflect deep skepticism over the federal initiative, launched by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on June 5 to address constitutional reform, elections, and federalism through an inclusive, Somali-led process. Organized by a government-appointed committee, the forum was framed as a path toward national consensus, but key federal member states and opposition groups have pushed back.
The Puntland leader proposed an alternative format, an inclusive national conference involving federal and regional governments, former presidents, and other influential figures. He argued that the National Consultative Council (NCC), once a key coordination body, has become inactive and no longer serves its intended purpose.
Opposition parties, including members of the Somali Salvation Forum, have already declined to attend the forum, citing the absence of a clear agenda and the lack of shared oversight. They have called for a jointly managed process and full participation from all federal member states, particularly Puntland and Jubaland.
Deni echoed these concerns and urged international partners to maintain their support, praising their role in Somalia’s state-building process. “We still need their partnership as Somalia navigates this difficult phase,” he said.
The absence of both Puntland and Jubaland from the forum has raised doubts about the gathering’s national legitimacy. Both states have clashed with the federal government over contested 2024 constitutional amendments, which Puntland rejected before suspending cooperation with Mogadishu.
The federal government has since rescheduled the forum for Monday, though it remains unclear whether it will proceed as planned. Without the participation of key stakeholders, its ability to produce credible outcomes remains in question.
