Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali Federal Government has pledged to resolve its ongoing political dispute with the Puntland regional administration.

In an interview with the Kenya-based newspaper, The East African, Somalia's Federal Minister of Internal Affairs, Ahmed Moaliim Fiqi, expressed confidence in achieving a peaceful resolution through negotiation and cooperation.

"Puntland is a vital component of our federal system and consistently contributes to the country's political process and recovery," Fiqi said.

In recent months, tensions have escalated between Mogadishu and Puntland over matters such as the allocation of political, judicial, and security authority, usage of the Bossaso and Berbera ports and other natural resources, and the right to enter into foreign agreements, particularly concerning oil development.

 

In January, Puntland declared itself an autonomous government until a federal constitution was drafted and a referendum held.

Fiqi stressed that dialogue is crucial for addressing these concerns while protecting the government's priorities, which include finalizing the provisional constitution and clarifying the distribution of powers.

Puntland's President, Said Abdullahi Deni, was notably absent from a National Consultative Council meeting in Baidoa in mid-March. During the conference, Somali federal and regional leaders agreed to focus on resolving the political stalemate before their next gathering.