Somalia’s Puntland State boycotts National Consultative Council summit in Mogadishu

Somalia’s Puntland regional state has announced that it will not attend the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) summit for federal and regional leaders in Mogadishu next week, citing its refusal to recognize the federal government.

The Minister of Information Mohamud Aydid Dirir stated that the federal government must adhere to the framework of the law before Puntland will consider participating in negotiations on constitutional issues.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has scheduled the summit for April 21-22 in Mogadishu, with discussions focusing on counter-terrorism efforts and the finalization of the country’s constitution.

Despite opposition from Puntland and former Presidents Sheikh Sharif and Mohamed Farmaajo, the Lower and Upper Houses of the federal parliament approved amendments to the first four revised sections of the 15-chapter provisional constitution on March 30.