MOGADISHU — Puntland President Saeed Abdullahi Deni announced on Wednesday that he intends to remain in Mogadishu until the conclusion of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud‘s term, signaling a deepening of the political deadlock regarding the country’s upcoming elections.
Addressing a meeting of the newly formed Somali Future Council, a coalition uniting Puntland and Jubaland leaders with key opposition figures, Deni accused the federal leadership of attempting to monopolize power.
Standoff in the Capital
Deni stated that President Mohamud and his administration had operated under the assumption that regional leaders would not travel to the capital to challenge the electoral process initiated by Villa Somalia.
“We will remain in the capital to prevent those who view Mogadishu as their exclusive territory from asserting unilateral authority,” Deni declared. He indicated that the opposition bloc is prepared to utilize all political avenues to compel the President to negotiate a consensus-based transition.
Deni emphasized that he and Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) would not depart Mogadishu until Somalia’s political crisis is completely resolved and the nation moves toward a peaceful transition of power.
Accusations of Power Abuse
Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, speaking to the same assembly, affirmed there would be consequences for what he termed as “power abuses” by federal officials. He specifically cited the suppression of opposing viewpoints and the push for unilateral constitutional amendments as major points of contention.
Deni expressed his belief that Mogadishu has been transformed into a center for initiatives that threaten to fragment the nation, noting that the Somali Future Council had arrived in the city to “protect Somalia’s unity and progress.”
Calls for Negotiation
Prominent opposition members present at the gathering, including former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire, Abdi Farah Shirdon, and Mohamed Hussein Roble, joined the call for dialogue.
The leaders urged President Mohamud to negotiate sincerely to address the current political impasse before the final three months of his presidency conclude. The dispute centers largely on the model for the 2026 elections, with opposition groups rejecting the federal government’s push for a new electoral framework of One-Person-One-Vote, without broad political consensus.
