Somalia’s Puntland State President Deni urges inclusive dialogue to prevent political turmoil
Puntland State’s Deni urges inclusive national dialogue, warns of political instability in Somalia
KISMAYO, Somalia — Puntland State State of Somalia President Said Abdullahi Deni on Thursday urged Somalia’s federal leadership and political actors to heed warnings from Somali intellectuals and reopen inclusive talks on the country’s future, saying failure to do so risks renewed political chaos and threatens national unity.
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Speaking at the opening of the Somali Future Council conference in Kismayo, Deni said repeated alerts since 2023 about Somalia’s political direction have largely been ignored. He framed the moment as a critical juncture that demands restraint, consultation and consensus.
“The time we are living in is very sensitive,” Deni said, cautioning that without mutual understanding, respect and a consensus-based political process, Somalia could slide back into division and instability.
Deni called for a political solution grounded in genuine dialogue, describing it as the only way to safeguard the country’s future. He urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to convene an inclusive national dialogue on what he termed “fateful issues,” particularly the electoral process and completion of the constitution.
“We urge President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to listen to advice and return to the dialogue table,” he said, adding that the aim is to ensure “the country can have an election that is mutually agreed upon.”
Positioning Puntland State as a willing partner in resetting the national course, Deni said his administration is prepared to participate in any process that prioritizes broad-based agreement and protects the country’s long-term stability. He appealed to the federal government to consider opposition voices and foster a shared path forward.
“If we do not listen to each other and do not respect one another, nothing good will come from it,” he said. “The president and the federal government must allow Somalis to reach a shared view on an election based on agreement.”
The Somali Future Council gathering assembled a roster of senior political figures from across Somalia’s spectrum, signaling an effort to forge common ground on the most consequential political questions facing the country.
- Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe)
- Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
- Former Prime Ministers Mohamed Hussein Rooble, Hassan Ali Khayre, and Abdi Farah Shirdoon (Saacid)
- Former minister Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame
- Former Puntland State President Abdirahman Farole
- Other political leaders and stakeholders
While the conference aimed to elevate dialogue and consensus, Deni’s remarks underscored the risks of political drift if warnings go unheeded. His message placed urgency on inclusive decision-making around the election framework and constitutional process, portraying agreement as the linchpin for stability.
The Kismayo meeting opened Thursday afternoon with calls for restraint and negotiation rather than unilateral moves, reflecting broader concerns that political tensions—if unresolved—could unravel recent gains. Deni’s appeal places the onus on federal leaders and political rivals alike to return to the table and hash out a shared, orderly path to elections and a completed constitution.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
Friday December 19, 2025
