Monday, June 15, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -The Puntland administration has leveled serious accusations against Somali Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alleging actions that it says have contributed to political instability, weakened Somalia’s federal system, and endangered maritime security along the Puntland coastline.
Speaking at the opening session of the Puntland parliament, Puntland President Siciid Cabdullaahi Deni stated that Somalia’s federal arrangement has been undermined and accused the federal leadership of overstepping constitutional boundaries and damaging relations between federal member states.
President Deni claimed that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has “disrupted the agreed federal system” and accused him of politically targeting regional administrations. He further alleged that federal actions amount to what he described as an “assault on the federal framework” and interference in regional governance.
In his remarks, Deni also accused the former president of the country of contributing to insecurity and instability, including allegations that he had previously carried out armed operations in different parts of the country, which he said resulted in civilian deaths and political disruption. He further claimed that similar patterns of interference continue under the current administration.
The Puntland leader further alleged that the federal leadership has contributed to insecurity in coastal areas and the wider maritime domain, including what he described as the creation or empowerment of armed groups and alleged pirate networks operating along Somalia’s coastline.
Puntland authorities specifically claimed that recruitment of armed personnel has taken place in several coastal districts, including Xaafuun, Eyl, and Jariiban—three strategic coastal areas in Puntland. The administration alleged that such activities are aimed at destabilizing the region and could be linked to the emergence of alleged pirate groups operating in the area.
According to Puntland, these developments are politically motivated and are being carried out with the intention of weakening regional stability and disrupting maritime security routes in the Horn of Africa.
The Puntland leadership described its position as opposition to what it called political and legal overreach, stating that it will resist any actions it views as undermining Somalia’s federal agreements and constitutional order.
The Federal Government of Somalia has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest allegations at the time of publication.
Tensions between Somalia’s federal government and some federal member states, including Puntland, have periodically escalated over constitutional authority, resource sharing, and security operations across the country.