Puntland Human Rights Association

As a human rights organization, we are deeply concerned about the growing political instability in .

The current mandates of both houses of parliament are set to expire on December 31 of this year, yet there remains no political consensus among key stakeholders, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his administration, members of the National Salvation Forum (Madasha Samatabixinta), and the regional states of and .

There is increasing fear that, without constructive dialogue, the country may face the emergence of parallel governments in 2026.

We urge President to engage in inclusive discussions with opposition groups to address urgent issues, including—but not limited to—the electoral framework for the upcoming elections and the withdrawal of unilateral amendments to the 2012 Provisional Constitution.

We anticipate that the Ambassador in , Hon. Riley, has discussed with the Director of the Immigration Authority of , Mustafe Dhuxulow, to avoid pressuring Somali citizens to obtain a Mogadishu ID forcibly in order to apply for a Somali passport.

This could have adverse effects on Somali citizens in , , and .

On August 1st each year, the people of come together to celebrate Puntland Independence Day—a day that stands as a testament to the state's unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, peace, and security.

Marking 27 years of self-governance, this historic day commemorates the region's successful journey in building a stable and democratic society amid challenging circumstances.

Festivals, parades, and cultural events take place across to honor the achievements of its people and leadership. The National Flag of is proudly displayed throughout the region, symbolizing unity, resilience, and national pride.

The establishment of Puntland in 1998 was a collective response to the anarchy, clan rivalries, and religious conflicts that were devastating southern and central at the time. The people of , under visionary leadership, chose a path of peace and progress, laying the foundation for a strong federal system and effective governance that continues to serve as a model in today.

On this significant occasion, the senior management, staff, and members of the Puntland Human Rights Association ( ) extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of . We honor your enduring commitment to peace, stability, democracy, and human rights.

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May the spirit of unity and progress continue to guide your future.

Too many councilors have been assigned to the districts, and the method used to determine council representation was not well thought out. As a result, elected councilors in 's districts are now toppling district chairs and appointing new ones.

Unless the state reforms the allocation of council seats based on objective factors such as each district’s , , and size, these jurisdictional crises will continue to arise and may persist indefinitely.

On December 10, 2024, the ( ) sent a letter to the Honorable Minister of Interior and Local Government, Mr. Abdi Farah ( ), to express our concerns regarding the ongoing amendments and restructuring of 's district councils.

In our letter, proposed a more balanced and equitable approach to council representation, recommending that the allocation of council members be based on a categorization system—District A, District B, and District C—as outlined in Municipal Law No. 7.

This classification would help ensure fair representation based on each district’s size, population, and administrative capacity.

As part of our proposal, recommended a tiered council structure based on district categorization. Under this framework, District A would have 13 council members, District B would have 9, and District C would have 7. In each category, 3 seats would be exclusively reserved for women representatives to ensure gender inclusion, while the remaining seats would be open for equal competition among all eligible candidates, regardless of gender.

Across much of Africa, women remain significantly underrepresented in local governments and often have no representation at the state or central government levels.

This lack of inclusion means that critical decisions are frequently made without the input or consensus of a major portion of the population—particularly women, who make up a substantial share of society.

Such exclusion undermines both the legitimacy and the effectiveness of governance and policy making.