Puntland warns of 'constitutional vacuum' in Somalia after raids on ex-leaders

Ilyas Osman Lugator, VP of Puntland state of Somalia - File photo

GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland on Thursday fiercely accused Somalia’s federal leadership of orchestrating a "constitutional vacuum" and blamed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for recent armed raids targeting former state leaders in Mogadishu.

The political broadside followed a cabinet meeting in Garowe, chaired by Puntland’s Acting President and Vice President, Ilyaas Lugatoor.

In a sharply worded statement, the cabinet condemned "armed confrontations targeting civilians and former senior leaders" in the national capital, Mogadishu.

It directly held President Mohamud responsible for security forces' raids on the residences of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in Mogadishu on Wednesday, which led to heavy clashes that continued till Thursday morning.

Puntland warned that the country faced a dangerous political and security unraveling unless the political impasse in Mogadishu is resolved.

"Only an urgent agreement on overdue elections could prevent further political and security deterioration," the statement said.

Relations between the federal government in Mogadishu and Puntland have been severely strained over controversial amendments to the provisional constitution and the framework for upcoming national elections.

GAROWE ONLINE