Somalia, 28 April 2026 Somalia’s government risks loosing legitimacy when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term expires on May 15 without a deal, Puntland President said.
Speaking in Badhan district in Sanaag region, Said Abdullahi Deni said the continuation of the federal government depends on a consensus among Somali parties, warning that the absence of an agreement could cast doubt on the existence of a functioning federal administration.
“Starting from next month (May 15), if a solution agreed upon by Somalis is not reached, there will be no federal government in existence,” Deni said.
Deni's remarks is based on the 2012 Provisional Constitution which was amended by the federal parliament. President Mohamud later signed the amended document into law.
Deni added that Puntland would continue to manage its own affairs if the political deadlock persists.
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He noted that his administration does not expect solutions from the current federal leadership, but rather from the Somali public across different regions.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political stalemate linked to elections, constitutional arrangements, and power-sharing between the federal government and member states, raising concerns about a potential governance vacuum.
Somalia is currently in a transitional phase aimed at achieving one-person, one-vote elections, but delays and political disputes have complicated the process.
Analysts say Deni’s warning reflects deepening divisions between Mogadishu and some federal member states, as well as opposition groups, particularly over the country’s political direction and election timelines.