Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has called on Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to resign from office, accusing him of failing to unite the country and its people, as well as failing to enable consensus-based national elections.
Deni stated that Somalia’s political situation has reached a critical juncture requiring a complete review of national leadership and the mechanisms used to manage political disputes.
The Puntland President added that his recommendation regarding Hassan Sheikh’s resignation is grounded in the best interests of the Somali nation and its people, emphasizing that Puntland remains an integral part of Somalia and has invested significant time and resources into building the country’s statehood.
‘Puntland is part of Somalia and has invested immense time and financial resources into Somali statehood, but I call on Hassan to resign and spare the country,’ said President Said Abdullahi Deni.
These remarks come as the political rift between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia has dragged on for over four years, characterized by worsening disputes over the constitution, electoral models, and the division of powers between the central government and federal member states.
The Puntland President charged that Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has failed to unify the Somali people or establish an inclusive political framework acceptable to all stakeholders.
Deni specifically criticized the electoral process, asserting that no unified political agreement has been reached between the Federal Government, Federal Member States, and other national political leaders.
The Puntland President maintains that critical national issues—particularly elections and constitutional amendments—require broad consultation and inclusive consensus involving all political factions.
Deni’s accusations highlight the growing divergence between Puntland and the Federal Government, with both sides holding conflicting visions for managing Somalia’s political future.
The ongoing friction between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia has fundamentally centered on constitutional review, electoral models, and power-sharing within state institutions.
Puntland opposes several constitutional amendments supported by the Federal Government, arguing that major national decisions cannot be made through a process lacking broad political consensus.
President Deni previously asserted that the Federal Government has deviated from the political agreements foundational to Somalia’s federal model, calling for a comprehensive national consultative conference to deliberate on the country’s trajectory.
For its part, the Federal Government of Somalia has defended its constitutional review and electoral reform plans, arguing these changes are essential to constructing a modern political framework.
The dispute between the two sides has also impacted political relations between the Federal Government and other federal member states, making the electoral controversy a central obstacle to achieving national political consensus.
President Said Abdullahi Deni underscored that Puntland played a foundational role in building Somali statehood, noting that the regional administration allocated extensive time and financial resources toward establishing a functioning Somali state.
Deni affirmed that Puntland remains an integral part of Somalia and cares deeply about the future of the nation and its people.
The president’s statement further indicates that Puntland intends to anchor its political stance on safeguarding the federal system and upholding agreements it considers vital to Somali statehood.
Nevertheless, Deni’s call for Hassan Sheikh’s resignation represents a political position taken by Puntland, with no indication that President Hassan Sheikh has accepted or yielded to the demand.
This latest appeal by President Deni coincides with Somalia confronting acute political uncertainty surrounding the electoral roadmap and the future of the federal structure.
Questions persist regarding how a political agreement mutually acceptable to the Federal Government, Federal Member States, and opposition politicians can be achieved.
If these ongoing disputes remain unresolved, institutional cooperation and national political coordination could become increasingly strained.
Conversely, calls for dialogue and a national consultative summit could offer an opportunity to de-escalate friction, provided political stakeholders agree on an inclusive process.
President Deni reiterated his demand that Hassan Sheikh resign, maintaining that such a move would serve the best interests of the Somali nation and its populace.
To date, Villa Somalia has issued no official response addressing the Puntland President’s latest call.