Puntland State Accuses Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh of Illegally Remaining in Office
The statement declared that Puntland State does not regard Hassan Sheikh as a lawful president and said he has continued to wield presidential powers without legal authority.
AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State State of Somalia of Somalia on Thursday said Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is staying in office illegally, arguing that his four-year presidency ended on May 15 after the mandates of Somalia’s federal institutions expired.
The accusation came in a communique released after a cabinet meeting in Garowe, which Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni chaired.
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According to Puntland State, Mohamud’s term expired on May 15, 2026, while the Federal Parliament’s mandate ended on April 14, 2026. The regional administration said that, as a result, the federal institutions no longer have constitutional legitimacy.
The statement declared that Puntland State does not regard Hassan Sheikh as a lawful president and said he has continued to wield presidential powers without legal authority.
Puntland State cautioned that Somalia has entered what it called a perilous political phase and urged the immediate convening of a national consultative meeting bringing together all Somali political stakeholders to reach agreement on an inclusive electoral process.
The regional administration also appealed to the international community and international organizations to deal directly with Puntland State until, it said, fully legitimate federal institutions are restored.
Separately, Puntland State denounced what it described as intimidation and harassment of opposition politicians and civilians in Mogadishu, calling on Somalis to safeguard national unity and state institutions.
There was no immediate response from Somalia’s federal government to Puntland State’s claims.
AXADLETM
