Puntland pushes decentralization reforms at high‑level governance conference

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former Puntland President Senator Abdirahman Farole played key roles in shaping Somalia’s federal system after the 2012 adoption of the Provisional Constitution, embedding Puntland’s federalist ideas and a requirement that new member states be formed from at least two regions. Their influence set the framework for later state formations such as Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State and Jubaland.

On 9 July 2026, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni inaugurated a high‑level governance conference in Garowe to boost cooperation among ministries, oversight bodies, municipal authorities and the police. Delegates presented progress on security, economic development, public services and infrastructure, and outlined plans to deepen decentralisation and bring decision‑making closer to citizens. The conference also highlighted growing public criticism of Deni over alleged corruption and weakened institutional oversight, raising concerns about the region’s democratic credentials.