MOGADISHU, Somalia — Two members of Somalia’s federal cabinet representing the semi-autonomous region of Puntland have formally resigned from their positions, citing opposition to proposed amendments to the country’s provisional constitution.
Caynaanshe Yusuf Hussein, State Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, and Ismail Shire Buraale, State Minister for Petroleum and Minerals, announced their resignations in separate statements.
Both ministers said their decision was driven by concerns over what they described as an unconstitutional process to amend the Transitional Federal Constitution of Somalia. They argued that the proposed changes did not undergo adequate consultation or follow proper legal procedures.
The resignations come as members of both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia are scheduled to deliberate and vote on amendments to the interim constitution. The initiative has been strongly backed by the Presidency of Somalia.
Lawmakers from Puntland and Jubbaland have largely been absent from the parliamentary proceedings in recent days, reflecting mounting tensions between certain federal member states and the central government over the constitutional review process.
Critics of the amendments contend that the federal government is rushing the process without broad-based consensus, while supporters of the President argue that constitutional reforms are necessary to advance Somalia’s state-building efforts.
Two of Somalia’s federal member states, Puntland and Jubbaland, have announced they will not recognize the newly amended constitution, escalating political tensions and raising concerns about the country’s unity.
Meanwhile, Somaliland — which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks international recognition — has long been absent from federal constitutional negotiations. Analysts warn that the latest dispute with Puntland and Jubbaland could deepen fragmentation within the federal system.
