MOGADISHU — Somali politician Yusuf Mohamed Warsame has warned that Puntland could face internal fragmentation, arguing that divisions within the regional administration could pose a greater challenge than any attempt to separate from Somalia.
“Puntland breaking away from Somalia is less likely than Puntland itself splitting into separate regions,” Warsame said.
His comments come amid wider political debates in Somalia over federalism, relations between the Federal Government and federal member states, and the distribution of political and administrative authority.
Warsame did not provide specific evidence or identify particular areas that he believes could seek to break away from Puntland. His remarks instead focused on what he described as the potential for internal political and territorial divisions.
Puntland has operated as an autonomous federal member state of Somalia since 1998. Its authorities have at times been involved in political disputes with the Federal Government over constitutional changes, elections, governance and the balance of powers between the federal and regional levels.
The comments add to an ongoing national debate over Somalia’s federal system and the political cohesion of its federal member states.
There is no indication from Warsame’s statement alone that Puntland is currently undergoing a formal process of territorial fragmentation.
