MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – President Sa’id Abdullahi Deni of Puntland has declared that constitutional changes introduced by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will not be accepted, describing the amendments as illegal and illegitimate.
Speaking at a gathering in Mogadishu on Saturday night that brought together members of the Banadir community — including politicians, traditional elders, women, and youth — Deni said the revised constitution “will not be a constitution for anybody.”
He questioned whether it was intended to serve only President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe.
Deni, who is positioning himself as a potential contender for Villa Somalia in the 2026 presidential election, accused the federal leadership of undermining consensus on key constitutional and electoral matters.
He also called on the regional administrations of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and South West State to expedite their elections, noting that their mandates expired some time ago.
“The responsibility lies with the leaders of those regional states that have not yet held elections. Although their terms have ended, they remain in office because there is no vacuum. They should organize elections,” Deni said.
President Deni warned that Somalia risks instability and potential fragmentation if the current political stalemate continues and federal elections are not held on time.
Deni further condemned forced evictions in Mogadishu and alleged land-grabbing schemes, accusing the president and his allies of benefiting from land seizures and auctions over the past four years.
“Why are they displacing people? Are these not our own citizens?” he asked, raising concerns over the management of funds generated from land sales.
The Puntland leader also criticized the state of infrastructure in Mogadishu, saying he had recently observed roads that remain unbuilt despite what he described as significant revenues collected through land auctions linked to eviction campaigns.