Amid rising tensions with Somalia’s federal government, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni held closed-door talks with U.N. Special Representative Catriona Laing, emphasizing the need for inclusive political dialogue and warning against constitutional overreach by Mogadishu.
The meeting comes as Puntland increasingly distances itself from federal initiatives, citing concerns over centralization of power and unilateral decision-making by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration. In recent months, Puntland has suspended cooperation with Mogadishu on multiple fronts — including electoral reform and constitutional talks — and aligned with the National Salvation Forum, a bloc of regional leaders and opposition groups.
The U.N. has been attempting to de-escalate growing rifts between federal and regional authorities as Somalia approaches critical governance milestones, including elections and constitutional finalization.
While official readouts remained limited, sources familiar with the meeting confirmed that
President Deni
reiterated Puntland’s commitment to federalism — but stressed that any future political settlements must reflect “genuine dialogue” and “equitable power-sharing.”
U.N. envoy Catriona Laing reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for Somalia’s state-building process and urged all parties to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and pursue constructive engagement.
The Puntland-U.N. meeting signals a pivotal moment in Somalia’s fragile political transition. As donor fatigue mounts and security threats persist, continued fragmentation between Mogadishu and federal member states risks derailing international stabilization efforts.
For the United Nations and partners like the African Union and IGAD, the challenge lies in fostering consensus without appearing to legitimize breakaway tendencies. Puntland’s assertive diplomacy may also embolden other regional administrations to resist centralized control — a trend that could reshape Somalia’s federal balance of power in the years ahead.
