Puntland President Announces Somalia State-Building Conference in Garowe

GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said his administration plans to host a conference in the regional capital of Garowe to discuss Somalia’s state-building and find practical solutions to ongoing political challenges.

Speaking in Garowe, Deni said the conference will bring together Somali experts and academics to provide ideas beyond the interests of politicians, aiming for a more evidence-based approach to state-building issues.

“As the Puntland government, we want to work with Somali experts who have specialized knowledge in state-building and hold a conference in Garowe to examine scientifically the challenges facing Somalia’s state-building,” Deni said.

He added, “Politicians may have other agendas, but we want reason to guide the process and prevent ambition and emotions from driving leadership. This is the role we expect Somali experts and scholars to play.”

Puntland, the oldest Federal State in Somalia, is currently in a political deadlock with the Federal Government in Mogadishu, having suspended all cooperation since March 2024 over constitutional disputes and accusations of federal overreach.

GAROWE ONLINE