Garowe (Dawan Africa) - Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has called on the international community to support a national conference aimed at resolving Somalia's ongoing political crisis. This call comes after a virtual meeting held last night, where international community representatives attempted to convince President Deni to participate in the National Dialogue platform in Mogadishu.
In a statement issued on June 14, 2025, President Deni emphasized the need for an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue, involving all political stakeholders, including leaders from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the Federal Member States (FMS), former Somali leaders, and other key political figures.
Puntland has strongly criticized the National Consultative Council (NCC), declaring it “defunct” and stating that it no longer effectively represents the interests of the Somali people. The Puntland Presidency also highlighted that the current political process under Villa Somalia has failed to foster an environment conducive to national unity and consensus.
“The NCC has become inactive and cannot achieve the national unity Somalia needs. We call for a new, inclusive national conference to address our political challenges,” the statement read.
President Deni presented his proposal during a virtual meeting with James Swan, the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, and other international stakeholders. The discussion centered on Somalia’s tense political and security situation, marked by internal divisions and ongoing insecurity.
Puntland’s call for a new national conference aligns with a broader demand from the Somali Salvation Forum, an opposition coalition that also advocates for an inclusive platform to resolve the political crisis.
President Deni’s call comes at a time when a consultative conference initially planned by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for June 15 was suddenly postponed without any official explanation. Puntland had previously declared that it would not attend the event, citing concerns about the centralization of power and the undermining of Somalia’s federal system.
Through this new proposal, President Deni seeks to create a platform that brings together all Somali political factions to find common ground and address the country’s longstanding political deadlock.
