Puntland State Warns Somalia’s Statehood Is at Risk Amid Deepening Electoral Deadlock

AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State’s president issued a stark warning Tuesday, saying Somalia’s fragile federal arrangement could unravel unless political rivals strike a broad agreement before the current federal leadership’s term ends next month.

President Said Abdullahi Deni said the country faces a serious institutional crisis unless all sides reach a deal before President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s mandate expires on May 15.

“If a political agreement accepted by all Somalis is not reached, there will be no functional federal government in this country,” Deni said.

The remarks land at a tense moment for Somalia, where disputes over electoral systems and the balance of power between Mogadishu and the federal member states have deepened. Puntland State has long operated with a strong degree of autonomy within the federal framework, but its ties with the central government have become increasingly strained in recent months.

Deni said Puntland State is ready to defend its interests and would push back against federal leaders if he believes they are weakening the constitutional order. Even so, he stressed that the state remains committed to safeguarding the Somali people and preserving national stability.

The President of Puntland State also criticized the federal government’s approach to public communication, saying sensitive matters of state should not be handled through social media. In his view, questions tied to the country’s future belong in formal settings and should be resolved through direct, face-to-face talks.

With the May 15 deadline approaching, international partners are watching the dispute closely, worried that political uncertainty could create a vacuum and slow efforts to steady the Horn of Africa nation.

AXADLETM