Puntland Gov’t, Federal Lawmakers Reject Constitutional Changes, Warns Against Term Extensions

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: The Puntland State Government, alongside members of both houses of Somalia’s Federal Parliament representing the region, has declared that it will not recognize any amendments made to the country’s 2012 Provisional Constitution, escalating its long-running dispute with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
In a joint resolution issued in Garowe, the regional leadership and 30 federal lawmakers — including senators and members of the House of the People — strongly condemned what they described as a violation of law and constitutional rights following an incident on March 1, 2026.
According to the statement, a plane carrying lawmakers and officials en route to Puntland was blocked from proceeding, an act the meeting characterized as an infringement on freedom of movement. The resolution placed responsibility directly on the top leadership of the federal government.
Constitutional Dispute Deepens
Puntland’s leadership reiterated that it does not recognize any changes introduced to the 2012 Provisional Constitution, arguing that the current amendment process is unlawful and contradicts the foundational political agreements that underpin Somalia’s federal system.
The constitutional review process has been a major source of tension between Puntland and the FGS for several years. Puntland authorities have consistently accused the federal leadership of pursuing unilateral constitutional changes without broad-based consensus among Federal Member States.
The Garowe meeting reaffirmed this position, stating that any amendments undertaken without inclusive consultation and agreement undermine the federal framework.
Term Limits and Electoral Timeline
The resolution emphasized that the mandate of the Federal Parliament is set to expire on April 14, 2026, while the term of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia concludes on May 15, 2026.
Participants warned national leaders against attempting to extend their mandates or taking actions that could create what they described as a constitutional vacuum.
The statement further indicated that if a credible solution regarding national elections is not reached, Puntland lawmakers would join the “Council for the Future of Somalia,” a political platform formed by opposition figures seeking an alternative pathway to resolving the electoral impasse.
Unified Political Front
The resolution was jointly endorsed by 30 federal lawmakers representing Puntland in both chambers of parliament, signaling a consolidated regional stance at the federal level.
The latest declaration underscores the widening political rift between Puntland and Mogadishu at a time when Somalia faces critical decisions over its constitutional framework and electoral transition. The standoff adds further uncertainty to the country’s political trajectory as key federal mandates near expiration.