Sunday October 12, 2025
FILE - Leaders from several Puntland political parties gather in Garowe
Garowe (HOL) — Political parties in Puntland have cancelled their central council meetings after the regional government halted monthly financial support, which threatens to derail the state’s fragile democratic experiment.
The Puntland administration had previously allocated $10,000 per month to each registered political party to sustain their operations and administrative activities. That funding was discontinued last year, leaving most parties unable to hold meetings or organize leadership elections.
The Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC) had directed parties to convene general assemblies within three months to choose new leaders and executive committees. However, party officials told Hiiraan Online that the suspension of government funds made it impossible to comply.
“We informed the commission that without restoring the monthly support, we cannot proceed with our conferences,” one official said.
Political leaders have accused President Said Abdullahi Deni of backtracking on his democratic promises since his re-election in 2024, saying his administration has weakened political pluralism and restricted the space for opposition activity.
Beyond financial hardship, internal divisions have splintered many parties into competing factions, compounding their inability to function effectively.
Several Puntland-based parties have since sought national registration with Somalia’s Federal Government in hopes of securing alternative funding and maintaining political relevance.
The funding suspension has cast doubt on Puntland’s long-standing effort to transition from a clan-based power-sharing system to a multiparty democracy, once regarded as a model for Somalia’s broader political future.