Puntland jolts Somalia with ‘independent’ policy

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni addressing Parliament in Garowe on January 7, 2019. PHOTO | FILE | COURTESY

Somalia’s Puntland state this week paused what it called active operation as a federal member state in Somalia, until the country passes a substantive constitution clarifying powers and functions of each level of government.

The decision, which could now fuel a rift with Mogadishu, may also revive old cracks in the structure itself.