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Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni has urged Somalia’s federal leadership and political actors to take seriously the advice and warnings of Somali intellectuals, cautioning that continued disregard could push the country toward political disorder and endanger its unity. He made the remarks during the opening session of the Somali Future Council conference, which began on Thursday afternoon in Kismayo and brought together a wide range of senior political leaders and former state officials.
President Deni said Somalia is currently at a highly delicate moment in its political journey, stressing that decisions made now will shape the country’s stability for years to come. According to him, concerns raised since 2023 about the country’s political direction have largely been ignored, despite repeated calls for reflection and corrective action. He warned that failing to listen to these voices risks undoing progress made in rebuilding the Somali state.
He emphasized that Somalia can only move forward through mutual understanding, respect, and a political process built on consultation and consensus. Without these principles, he said, the country could once again fall into division, mistrust, and instability. Deni described dialogue as not just an option, but a necessity for protecting Somalia’s future and maintaining national cohesion.
Addressing the country’s leadership directly, President Deni called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to initiate an inclusive national dialogue focused on what he described as “fateful issues” facing Somalia. These include the long-delayed completion of the provisional constitution and the design of an electoral system that is broadly accepted by political stakeholders. He argued that imposing decisions without agreement would only deepen political tensions and weaken public trust in state institutions.
Deni said the purpose of the proposed dialogue is not political rivalry or personal gain, but the protection of Somalia’s future. He stressed that Puntland is fully ready to participate in any sincere effort aimed at correcting the country’s political path and ensuring that upcoming elections are based on consensus. According to him, an election agreed upon by all major actors is essential for legitimacy, stability, and long-term governance.
He also reiterated that Puntland remains committed to playing a constructive role in rebuilding the Somali state and strengthening national institutions. However, he warned that this effort cannot succeed if opposition voices are sidelined or dismissed. Respecting differing views, he said, is a cornerstone of a healthy political system and a key requirement for national unity.
“If we do not listen to each other and do not respect one another, nothing good will come from it,” Deni said, adding that the federal government must allow Somalis to reach a shared understanding on the electoral process. He stressed that consensus-based politics is the only way to prevent conflict and ensure that power transitions are peaceful and credible.
The Somali Future Council conference has attracted a broad spectrum of influential political figures, reflecting growing concern over the country’s political direction. Among those in attendance are Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe), former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Ministers Mohamed Hussein Rooble, Hassan Ali Khayre, and Abdi Farah Shirdoon (Saacid). Also present are former minister Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, former Puntland President Abdirahman Farole, and other prominent leaders.
The gathering is widely seen as an effort by senior politicians and thinkers to encourage dialogue, reduce political polarization, and find common ground at a time when Somalia faces critical decisions about governance, elections, and constitutional reform. President Deni’s remarks underscored the urgency of these discussions and highlighted the risks of continued political disagreement without consultation.