GAROWE, Somalia — July 4, 2026 — Members of both houses of Somalia’s Federal Parliament elected from Puntland have issued a joint statement accusing the Federal Government of Somalia of what they described as efforts to undermine the country’s federal system, particularly Puntland, calling for regional unity and urging the international community to closely monitor the situation.
Lawmakers from Puntland serving in both chambers of Somalia’s Federal Parliament said they view recent actions by the Federal Government as part of what they described as a broader effort to weaken the federal system of governance.
In their joint statement, the 30 lawmakers and senators said the alleged actions are particularly aimed at Puntland and could, according to them, disrupt constitutional order and stability in the country.
The MPs did not provide specific examples of the alleged actions but described them collectively as a political campaign against the federal structure. The claims have not been independently verified.
The statement was signed by 30 members of parliament and senators representing Puntland constituencies in Mogadishu.
Political Response and Calls for Unity
The lawmakers called on Puntland authorities and the public to remain united in what they described as defending the federal system and resisting political pressures they attribute to the federal government.
They said unity within Puntland is necessary to safeguard governance structures and maintain what they called constitutional balance within Somalia’s federal arrangement.
The statement also urged the international community to closely monitor developments in Somalia, warning that the situation could have implications for political stability.
Federal government officials have not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
Tensions between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland have periodically escalated over issues including power-sharing, constitutional interpretation, and electoral processes.
Puntland has at various times expressed dissatisfaction with federal-level political agreements, particularly those related to elections and governance frameworks.
Somalia’s federal system remains a work in progress, with disagreements often emerging between Mogadishu and regional administrations over jurisdiction and authority.
Political analysts say such statements from parliamentary blocs reflect deeper structural disputes within Somalia’s federal governance system.
Attention is expected to turn to whether the federal government issues a formal response to the allegations.
Political observers also anticipate potential dialogue between federal institutions and Puntland representatives in parliament to address rising tensions.
International partners engaged in Somalia’s political process may also play a role in encouraging dialogue and preventing escalation.
The statement from 30 lawmakers highlights persistent friction within Somalia’s federal system, particularly between Puntland representatives and federal authorities.
Such disputes often reflect broader disagreements over constitutional interpretation and the balance of power between federal and regional institutions.
If tensions continue, they could affect cooperation on national priorities, including security coordination and electoral preparations.
The call for international monitoring suggests concerns that domestic political mechanisms alone may not be sufficient to resolve the dispute in the current environment.
