Puntland is considering to end cooperation with Somalia’s federal government after the region’s failure to win the position of the Prime Minister.
Speaking to press on Saturday, regional Minister of Energy Arshe Mohamed said Puntland authorities will stop engaging in federal state building efforts and have a great deal to do in areas under their control. He added that authorities will not hesitate to turn public attention to the loopholes of the new administration.
“We will tell [the public] anything wrong, we will say that is not good. We opposed Farmajo because of differences on political views. If such differences return, we will convey it,” the regional minister said, adding that they will counteract the new administration if takes steps similar to those of the government of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
Last week, Puntland leader Saeed Deni told regional MPs that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is incompetent to overcome challenges ahead of his administration and is doomed to fail soon. He lamented that Mohamud had not consulted him over the appointment of Hamza Abdi Barre, who comes from Jubaland, as Prime Minister.
Tensions have been brewing between Mohamud’s new administration and Puntland leadership since Somali President ignored proposals to appoint a politician from the northeastern state and instead chose to name a member of his party as the country’s Premier.