Djibouti opposition figure accuses Somalia President Mohamud of weakening federal system

Tuesday June 2, 2026

Djibouti (AX) — Djiboutian opposition figure Alexis Mohamed Gueldon has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of eroding the country’s federal system, arguing that decisions from Mogadishu have widened political rifts and weakened confidence in federal institutions.

In a Monday post on social media, Gueldon said constitutional amendments, political standoffs and strained ties between the federal government and some federal member states have hurt the credibility of Somalia’s federal model.

He said the resulting tensions have undermined political and institutional trust, making it harder to advance national cohesion.

“The political conflict between Mogadishu and Puntland State is one example of how differences in views on the country’s governance and power-sharing system are deepening,” Gueldon said.

His remarks come against the backdrop of a protracted dispute between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland State over constitutional amendments, elections and power-sharing. Puntland State rejected amendments approved by Somalia’s parliament, arguing they were passed without enough consultation and posed a threat to the federal arrangement. That dispute helped drive Puntland State to suspend cooperation with the federal government.

Gueldon said the persistence of these political clashes has raised fresh doubts about the stability and transparency of federal institutions, and has also affected confidence in Mogadishu at home and abroad.

He further noted that although the United States still formally recognizes Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Washington has broadened its cooperation with North Western State of Somalia in security, economic and diplomatic fields. In his view, that growing engagement shows how some international actors are pursuing other partners amid Somalia’s political uncertainty.

Gueldon said the federal government’s declining political and institutional credibility has indirectly bolstered North Western State of Somalia’s push for international recognition. He said Mogadishu needs to restore cooperation and trust across all levels of government if Somalia is to preserve its unity.

Somalia’s federal government has defended its constitutional and electoral reforms, saying the changes are designed to move the country toward one-person, one-vote elections and greater public participation. Critics, including opposition figures and some regional administrations, say the process lacks consensus and could further destabilize the country.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has run its own government, security forces and election institutions for more than three decades. Somalia’s federal government continues to view North Western State of Somalia as part of its territory.