Hassan Sheikh: Federal Government Is Not Attacking Somalia’s Federal Member States
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says the Federal Government is committed to strengthening and supporting Somalia’s federal member states, as political tensions over federalism and elections continue.
Dhusamareb, (Somali Report) — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has addressed the country’s federal system and relations between the Federal Government and federal member states, as political tensions continue over the country’s electoral process and the future of the federal system.
Speaking in Dhusamareb on Thursday night during celebrations marking August 14, the anniversary of the establishment of Galmudug, President Hassan Sheikh rejected claims that his administration is seeking to undermine or attack Somalia’s federal member states.
The President said that when he first entered national politics, Somalia did not have formally established federal member states, although the Constitution had already outlined the territorial framework covering areas from Gaalkacyo to Jubaland and across central and southern Somalia.
“When I entered the political leadership of this country, there were no federal member states. However, the Constitution had already outlined the areas from Gaalkacyo all the way to Jubaland,” Hassan Sheikh said.
He explained that the federal system currently in place was developed through different stages of state-building, including during his previous administration. He described the existing federal member states as functioning administrations that have made progress and emphasized the need for the Federal Government to support and strengthen them.
“Today, these are functioning administrations that have made progress. The Federal Government should strengthen and support them, not weaken them in any way,” the President said.
Hassan Sheikh, however, indicated that the Federal Government may become involved when officials in the federal member states are unable to fulfill their responsibilities.
“If some of the people entrusted with responsibility struggle to carry out their duties, we will support them, intervene where necessary, and work to improve the situation,” he added.
Somali Report · Newsletter
Sign up to The Insider
Your morning briefing on Somalia's biggest stories — politics, security, business, and the people shaping the region's future.
His remarks come at a time of heightened political tensions between the Federal Government and some of Somalia’s federal member states. Jubaland and Puntland have significantly reduced or suspended cooperation with Mogadishu amid disagreements over political, constitutional and electoral issues.
The relationship between the Federal Government and the federal member states has become one of the country’s most contentious political issues, particularly as Somalia approaches another sensitive stage in its political transition.
Disagreements remain over the electoral model, constitutional reforms and the distribution of political authority between the central government and the federal member states.
The Federal Government has continued to emphasize the importance of national unity and a coordinated political process, while opposition groups and some federal member states have raised concerns about the direction of the country’s political transition and the framework for the next elections.
Speaking in Dhusamareb, President Hassan Sheikh stressed that national unity and cohesion remain essential to Somalia’s state-building efforts.
He said cooperation between the Federal Government and federal member states should be strengthened rather than weakened, arguing that effective coordination between the different levels of government is necessary to advance Somalia’s political and institutional development.
The President’s comments are expected to add to the ongoing national debate over federalism, particularly as political actors continue efforts to reach an agreement on the country’s electoral process and resolve differences between Mogadishu and the federal member states.
The Dhusamareb speech comes amid renewed efforts to address Somalia’s political disagreements, with the country facing a crucial period in determining the future of its electoral system and the broader relationship between the Federal Government and the federal member states.
About the Author
Bashir Guhad is a reporter at Somali Report covering politics, security, business, and trade across the Somali region.