PRESS RELEASE
CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE PUNTLAND AND JUBBALAND GOVERNMENTS
June 26, 2025
Garowe (Hornpost) the Presidents of the Puntland and Jubbaland State Governments of Somalia, His Excellency President Said Abdullahi Deni and His Excellency President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe), held a consultative meeting in the capital of Puntland, Garowe, from June 23–25, 2025.
The conference focused on the overall situation in Somalia, especially matters of security and the fight against the terrorist groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS. It also addressed the ongoing political uncertainty affecting the state-building process, particularly the concern that the leadership of the Federal Government has violated the Provisional Constitution.
The following resolutions were reached during the conference:
- The conference commends the successes achieved by the Puntland and Jubbaland Governments and their people in combating terrorism by Al-Shabaab and ISIS. This success is evidence that Somalia can liberate itself from both internal and external terrorist threats if it has unity, determination, and sincere leadership. The conference also welcomes the efforts of Somali security forces and local communities in other regions fighting terrorism.
- Puntland and Jubbaland, committed to the unity and integrity of the Somali people and nation, agreed to unite and take a common stance to help Somalia achieve a complete federal democratic state built on peace and governed by the 2012 Provisional Constitution. They call on the Federal Government of Somalia to respect this agreed-upon constitution.
- The two states agreed that any amendments allegedly made to the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia are null and void. The Federal Government institutions do not have the authority to change the fundamental principles of the Constitution, which were agreed upon in 2012. These can only be amended through a public referendum. Puntland and Jubbaland do not recognize any outcome stemming from the unconstitutional amendments.
- The governments of Puntland and Jubbaland strongly call for adherence to and protection of both the Federal Constitution and those of the Federal Member States. According to Article 142, Paragraph 1, until the two levels of constitutions are harmonized, the Federal Member States will operate under the powers granted by their respective constitutions.
- The conference urges the other Federal Member States to hold elections for their respective legislative councils and presidents, and to appoint electoral commissions in accordance with their electoral laws.
- To ensure decentralization and the implementation of democratic processes as outlined in both the Provisional Federal Constitution and state constitutions, the conference calls on states that have not yet held local elections to organize direct municipal elections and appoint individual-vote electoral commissions as Puntland has done. Puntland expresses its readiness to assist other states in implementing individual-vote electoral processes, particularly in sharing experience and election laws.
- Puntland and Jubbaland call on the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia to respect the 2012 Provisional Constitution, safeguard national unity, and listen to the appeals of Somali leaders and intellectuals to preserve the integrity of the Somali state.
- The conference welcomes the efforts of the National Salvation Council and other leaders working to resolve the current political and security uncertainty and to ensure inclusive, timely elections.
- The conference welcomes the diplomatic efforts of Somalia’s international partners to ensure an inclusive state-building process. Puntland and Jubbaland stress that the Federal Government does not represent them in decisions they were not part of.
- Puntland and Jubbaland condemn the Federal Government’s politicization and misuse of international aid. The Federal Government sometimes uses aid as a political weapon to create division and incite unrest in Federal Member States. Therefore, the two states call on the international community to review the aid delivery mechanism and for donors to directly engage with the Federal Member States until a full agreement is reached on national resource and power sharing.
- Puntland and Jubbaland assert that the Federal Government has abused the four powers granted to it under the Provisional Constitution, particularly in the management of Somalia’s airspace. The government uses airspace control as a political tool to harm citizens in states with differing political views. The two states condemn these actions and are submitting a formal complaint to the United Nations agency responsible for aviation services, UN ICAO.
END
Please note that the original version of this press release was drafted in the Somali language. The English translation has been provided to ensure clarity and accessibility for international readers of Hornpost and stakeholders who do not speak Somali.
Hornpost staff reporter
