Somalia: Puntland Boycotts NCC in Mogadishu, Citing Constitutional Violations

BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said Friday that his administration will not participate in a national consultation summit scheduled for May 1-2 in Mogadishu, citing constitutional violations as reasons for the boycott.

The National Consultative Council [NCC] summit was called by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, following calls from international partners for greater political unity in Somalia. However, Deni said Puntland withdrew from the National Consultative Council in December 2024 over concerns that parts of the constitution had been unilaterally altered by Mohamud without consensus.

“The constitution is a social contract that binds Somali society,” Deni said. “When that is broken, we cannot move forward in good faith.”

Deni said Puntland remains committed to dialogue and national unity but will not take part in a summit that lacks broad agreement and violates the terms of the constitution. He urged President Mohamud to revisit the decisions that led to the collapse of the previous talks.

Jubaland is also expected to skip the summit, raising concerns that any decisions made in Mogadishu could lack the national legitimacy needed for effective implementation. Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe walked out of the last NCC due to the absence of Puntland and SCC-Khatumo.

President Mohamud has faced growing international pressure to convene an inclusive political dialogue involving federal member states, opposition groups, and civil society organizations to resolve Somalia’s ongoing political disputes and discuss elections as well as security.

GAROWE ONLINE