The Vice President of Puntland, Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, has declared that Somalia currently lacks a legitimate federal government, in one of the sharpest criticisms yet directed at the administration in Mogadishu.
Mr Lugatoor made the remarks during a large gathering organised by Puntland’s Ministry of Youth and Sports to commemorate May 15, Somali Youth Day — an annual event honouring the role of young Somalis in the country’s history and development.
Addressing the audience, the Puntland vice president congratulated Somali youth and praised their contribution to social progress, innovation and national defence. However, his speech quickly turned political as he criticised the state of governance in Somalia.
“Somalia does not have a legitimate government today,” Mr Lugatoor said, without elaborating further on what steps Puntland might take in response.
The comments reflect growing tensions between Puntland and the federal authorities in Mogadishu amid deepening disagreements over constitutional reforms, power-sharing and the future structure of the Somali state.
Relations between Puntland and the federal government have deteriorated in recent years, with Puntland leaders accusing the central administration of undermining the federal system and consolidating power in Mogadishu. Puntland has repeatedly argued that major national decisions are being made without broad political consensus.
Political analysts say the latest remarks underscore widening fractures within Somalia’s federal framework at a time when the country faces mounting security and economic challenges, including the ongoing threat posed by the armed group Al-Shabab.
