By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Somalia,12 January 2026 Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni announced on Sunday that he is ready to join the national dialogue if President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calls for an inclusive forum on January 20 as demanded by the opposition.
Speaking at a youth event in the Puntland capital, Garowe, Deni emphasized that his administration is always ready to engage in platforms, presenting Kismayo as an example.
He stated that Puntland will participate if President Hassan convenes the dialogue platform proposed last month by the alliance of opposition leaders and federal member states during the Kismayo conference last year.
“The initiative that came out of the Kismayo meeting, calling on the federal president to hold that forum on the 20th of this month, if he does it, we will attend,” Deni said.
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The January 20 date referenced by Deni was agreed upon during last month’s meeting in Kismayo, southern Somalia. The meeting, attended by Puntland, Jubaland, and opposition members united under the “Somalia Future Council,” issued a final call urging the federal government under President Hassan to convene an inclusive forum to resolve disagreements over the electoral process.
President Hassan had previously addressed the Somalia Future Council’s call to convene an inclusive forum, stating that his government is always ready to engage in dialogue, though no specific date had been set.
Relations between Garowe and Mogadishu have been strained for more than two years. Puntland withdrew recognition of federal institutions in early 2024, accusing President Hassan of unilateral constitutional changes and attempts to centralize power.
The core of the dispute revolves around the federal government’s efforts to implement a “one person, one vote” system for the 2026 elections.
