Puntland Draws a Constitutional Red Line as Somalia’s Political Negotiations Remain Deadlocked

Garowe (WDN) — Puntland has issued one of its clearest statements yet on the conditions under which it would rejoin a fully agreed Somali federal system, insisting that the country cannot achieve lasting political stability without a constitution endorsed directly by the Somali people.

Puntland Minister of Youth and Sports Caydiid Dirir said Puntland would continue to engage with the international community independently until Somalia has a government and political order based on broad national agreement.

His remarks come as Somalia’s prolonged political negotiations between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Federal Government and opposition forces remain deadlocked after months of internationally supported talks.

According to Minister Dirir, Puntland is not opposed to being part of a united Somali state. Rather, he said, Puntland’s position is that such a state must be built on a genuine political agreement and a permanent constitution approved directly by the Somali people.