Although no official explanation has been issued confirming why the two leaders did not attend the ceremony in Dhusamareb, their absence comes against the backdrop of a prolonged dispute over constitutional amendments, the electoral framework and the distribution of powers between the federal government and regional administrations.

Puntland and Jubaland are both members of the Somali Future Council, an opposition alliance that also includes prominent political figures.

The council has repeatedly raised concerns about the country’s political direction and the federal government’s handling of constitutional and electoral matters.

The alliance has called for inclusive negotiations to resolve the disputes and establish an agreed framework for future elections and the country’s political transition.

However, efforts to bring the opposing sides together have encountered repeated obstacles, leaving relations between the federal government and the two regional administrations strained.

Against this background, Deni and Madobe’s absence from the inauguration could be viewed as reflecting the wider political disagreements. However, neither leader has publicly confirmed that the dispute was the reason for missing the event.

At the centre of the disagreement are the electoral process and amendments to Somalia’s provisional constitution.

Puntland and Jubaland have called for a clear political agreement on elections, the respective powers of the federal government and member states, and the arrangements governing the country’s next political phase.

Opposition figures and the Somali Future Council have warned that major political decisions made without broad agreement could deepen divisions.

The federal government, meanwhile, maintains that institutional reforms and changes to the electoral system are part of its broader efforts to strengthen Somalia’s governance framework and move beyond the previous electoral model.

The competing positions have made constitutional reform and elections the main sources of tension between Mogadishu and several regional administrations.

Galmudug’s new leader, Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, was elected on October 22, 2026, securing 72 votes out of the 89 cast by members of the regional parliament.

His election followed a prolonged legal and political dispute surrounding the Galmudug parliamentary elections held on July 30.

Somalia’s Supreme Court annulled the results and ordered a fresh election, which was subsequently conducted on September 30. The parliamentary vote paved the way for the election of a new regional leader.

Liibaan succeeded Ahmed Abdi Karie Qoorqoor, who had led Galmudug since 2020.

His inauguration therefore took place at a particularly sensitive moment, as disagreements between the federal government and some member states continue to affect relations within Somalia’s federal system.

The political divisions also have implications beyond elections and constitutional arrangements. Somalia faces significant security challenges, particularly in the campaign against Al-Shabaab, which requires close coordination between federal authorities and regional administrations.

A prolonged political standoff could complicate cooperation on security operations and other national priorities.

Reaching an inclusive agreement on constitutional issues and the electoral framework will therefore be important in preventing political disagreements from further disrupting government institutions and relations between the federal government and member states.

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