By Mohamed Abdiqafar Haji Hussein

On June 15, 2025, President Said Abdullahi Deni officially opened the 56th session of the Puntland Parliament. In his speech, he covered a wide range of topics: progress in the fight against Daesh, achievements made under his leadership, and his vision for Puntland’s future. He also spoke at length about the conduct of the Federal Government and what needs to happen for Somalia to move forward as a united country.

But the most notable section of his address was not about internal achievements—it was his critique of the Federal Government of Somalia and, more pointedly, of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership.

Many Puntlanders who listened to President Deni’s speech agreed with his message. His calls for dialogue, inclusion, restraint, and respect for dissent in dealings with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were seen as entirely valid. Yet, many also noted a deeper irony, that these same principles must be upheld within Puntland itself.

Toward the end of his address, President Deni spoke directly to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He criticized the federal government’s approach of labeling dissent as treason and treating political opposition as a threat to national unity. He warned that such a mindset—”You’re either with us or against us”—was dangerous and unproductive. He compared it to the post-9/11 policy adopted by U.S. President George W. Bush, which, he argued, led to more harm than good. Instead, he said, Somalia needs dialogue—real conversation between brothers, where everyone can express their views. “No one can rule alone,” he said, “and no one wins by silencing others.”

Deni urged President Hassan to abandon and move beyond performative meetings and instead pursue genuine, inclusive dialogue that produce meaningful outcomes. He called for a serious national conversation—one not defined by handpicked gatherings designed to rubber-stamp preordained decisions.

But here’s the point: President Deni was absolutely right and that’s precisely why it’s even more important and matters for him to uphold those same values within Puntland.

The question Puntlanders are asking is simple: Mr. President, are you doing for your own people what you asked President Hassan to do for you?

Recent reports from Mudug suggest otherwise. Youth who were organizing peaceful protests to demand accountability from local government were reportedly arrested in pre-dawn raids. Their phones were searched to see if they had ties with the federal government. Though they were eventually released, they were warned to stay away from protests.

Meanwhile, Puntlanders who recently formed a political forum in Garowe to hold the government accountable were not staging street protests. Guled Salah, elected as the forum’s chairman, was vocal in pointing out the government’s shortcomings in delivering basic public services. It is the government’s duty to either refute his claims with facts or take steps to address the concerns raised. However, just two days later, the governor and mayor of Garowe issued a ban on all political gatherings in the city, despite clear constitutional protections guaranteeing the right to peaceful assembly.

Mr. President, in your own words: “No one can dictate alone. The only solution is for brothers to talk.” You also said that listening to opposing views is not a weakness; it’s sometimes the path to a better solution. Puntland needs this now. Just like Somalia as a whole needs a national dialogue, Puntland needs an internal conversation among its people about their shared future.

When the people of Puntland gave you a second chance as president, they hoped that, since this is your final term under the constitution, you would use it to unite the people and complete the transition to “one person, one vote.” If Puntland adopts the same spirit you demanded from the federal government—dialogue, respect, inclusion—it could become a model for the rest of Somalia.

Mr. President, it’s time you to look in the mirror. Are you giving Puntlanders what you demanded from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to give to you?
Talk the talk—and walk it too.

Likewise, when President Hassan Sheikh speaks out about his policies, he too talks the talk. The problem is not the speeches, it’s the failure to live by them. If every Somali politician simply did what they publicly say, if they govern by the same value they promote in front of the camera, Somalia today would be a very different country.

Mohamed Abdiqafar Haji Hussein
Email: mohabdhus@gmail.com 
Atlanta , Georgia.