Djibouti opposition figure accuses President Mohamud of weakening Somalia’s federal system

Tuesday June 2, 2026

Djibouti (HOL) — Djiboutian opposition politician Alexis Mohamed Gueldon has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of weakening Somalia’s federal system, saying Mogadishu’s policies have deepened political divisions and damaged trust in federal institutions.

In a social media post Monday, Gueldon said constitutional amendments, political disputes and worsening relations between the federal government and some federal member states had harmed the reputation of Somalia’s federal model.

He said the tensions had undermined political and institutional confidence, complicating efforts to strengthen national unity.

“The political conflict between Mogadishu and Puntland is one example of how differences in views on the country’s governance and power-sharing system are deepening,” Gueldon said.

His comments come amid a long-running dispute between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland over constitutional changes, elections and power-sharing. Puntland rejected constitutional amendments approved by Somalia’s parliament, saying they were adopted without broad consultation and threatened the country’s federal arrangement. The dispute contributed to Puntland’s decision to suspend cooperation with the federal government.

Gueldon argued that prolonged political disputes have raised questions about the stability and transparency of federal government institutions, affecting public and international confidence in Mogadishu’s leadership.

He also said that while the United States continues to officially recognize Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, Washington has expanded cooperation with Somaliland in security, economic and diplomatic areas. He argued that such engagement reflects how some international actors are seeking alternative partnerships amid Somalia’s political uncertainty.

Gueldon said declining political and institutional trust in the federal government has indirectly strengthened Somaliland’s case for international recognition. He said Mogadishu must rebuild cooperation and trust between different levels of government to protect Somalia’s unity.

Somalia’s federal government has defended its constitutional and electoral reforms, saying they are intended to move the country toward one-person, one-vote elections and stronger public participation. Opposition leaders and some regional administrations say the process lacks consensus and risks further destabilizing the country.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions for more than three decades. Somalia’s federal government continues to regard Somaliland as part of its territory.