Federal Disputes and Puntland A Historical Context of Ongoing Challenges.

8The process of state-building in Somalia and the disputes between the central government and Puntland are not recent phenomena;the historical narrative of Somali state-building is crucial to understand these dynamics.

Since the establishment of the federal government in 2004, Puntland has played a significant role within this system.

From 2005 to 2024, Puntland has been embroiled in various conflicts with the federal authorities on the:

• Reconciliation,

• Political Consensus,

• Type of Federal System,

• Constitution .

• Power and Resource Sharing .

It is essential to critically analyse the disputes between the central government and Puntland to grasp their implications.

However, some individuals tend to attribute these conflicts to personal agendas,disregarding the historical context that has shaped our current situation.

Below, I outline the key events and contentious issues between the two parties, on Puntland view point.

President Mohamud Muse Hersi”Cade” (2005–2009):

• Federal Disputes: President Cade was a staunch defender of Puntland’s autonomy, frequently clashing with the Federal Government, which sought to centralize power in violation of the federal principles outlined in the transitional constitution.

• Security and Power Sharing: Disputes arose regarding the distribution of security responsibilities between Puntland and the Federal Government, complicating collaborative governance efforts.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Faroole (2009–2014):

• Constitutional Debates: President Faroole played a pivotal role in drafting Somalia’s Provisional Constitution but often clashed with the Federal Government over its implementation, particularly regarding federalism.

• Formation of Regional States: Disputes emerged over the creation of new federal states, as the Federal Government acted unilaterally,disregarding constitutional mandates concerning resource-sharing.

• Electoral Processes: Conflicts arose regarding Puntland’s independent electoral processes and their relationship with federal structures, challenging the integrity of political governance.

President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas (2014–2019):

• Resource Management: Under President Gaas, disputes over oil exploration in Puntland intensified, with the Federal Government perceived as uncooperative.

• Revenue Sharing: Conflicts regarding the distribution of national resources and federal budget allocations persisted, straining the region’s economic foundations.

• Federalism and Autonomy: President Gaas vehemently resisted Federal Government attempts to centralize authority, accusing Mogadishu of undermining federalism and diminishing regional power.

President Said Abdullahi Deni (2019–Present):

• Constitutional Amendments and Federalism: Under his leadership, disputes over constitutional reforms/changes have continued, particularly concerning regional autonomy and federalism.

• Resource and Revenue Sharing: Like his predecessors, he faces ongoing challenges regarding resource management and revenue distribution with the Federal Government, threatening Puntland’s development.

• Electoral Processes and Security: Disputes have arisen over the conduct of elections and the control of security forces in Puntland, which remain contentious issues.

Key Insights:

From 2005 to 2024, every Puntland president, including current president , has encountered similar challenges from the Federal Government.

These issues have been particularly pronounced under the administrations of Farmaajo and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, where strategies such as economic and security/political blockades were employed as leverage against Puntland.

The recurring themes of federalism, resource management, security, power-sharing, and constitutional conflicts illustrate a broader struggle.

The leadership of Puntland has consistently fought for constitutional and federal rights,

not out of personal ambition but to safeguard Puntland’s rightful place within a genuine federal system.

Puntland’s Quest/Need for Greater Federalization and Devolution:

1. Autonomy and Regional Governance: Puntland has persistently sought greater autonomy to manage its affairs independently.

This aspiration arises from historical grievances concerning the central government’s control, which often undermines Puntland’s interests.

Leaders in Puntland advocate for a federal structure that permits self-governance, local decision-making and effective management of regional resources.

2. Resource Management: Puntland’s aspirations for federalization are particularly pronounced in the context of resource management.

The region possesses valuable resources, including potential oil and gas reserves.

Greater federalization would empower Puntland to negotiate and manage these resources effectively,

ensuring that local communities benefit from the wealth generated.

3. Security and Stability: A decentralized federal system would enable Puntland to establish its own security framework tailored to its local/unique needs, thereby enhancing stability in the region.

The Puntland government believes that local governance can respond more effectively to security challenges than a centralized authority in Mogadishu.

 

Sincerely:-DR.Liban Cigaal

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