Somalia: Puntland MPs Accuse Somali Federal Government of Undermining Federal System

Lawmakers from both houses of Somalia’s Federal Parliament representing Puntland have accused the Federal Government of taking actions they say undermine the country’s federal system and threaten political stability.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the MPs alleged that the Federal Government has pursued policies that weaken Somalia’s federal structure, with particular concern over developments affecting Puntland.

The lawmakers also argued that, under their interpretation of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, the term of the President of the Federal Government has expired. They accused the federal leadership of taking actions that they said fall outside the constitutional framework governing relations between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States.

Among their concerns, the MPs cited the recruitment of federal security forces in areas within Puntland, describing the move as a violation of the federal system that could heighten political and security tensions. They further accused the Federal President of contributing to tensions between the Federal Government and Puntland.