Somali opposition slams decision to block travel of Puntland Parliamentarians

A group of Somali lawmakers from the Puntland region were forced to return to Mogadishu on Sunday after the plane carrying them was ordered to turn back while en route to Garowe, sparking sharp criticism from opposition groups and raising fresh concerns over political tensions in the country.

The lawmakers, who are members of both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia and hail from Puntland, had departed from Mogadishu and were traveling to Garowe when their aircraft was instructed to return to Mogadishu. No official explanation has so far been provided by the federal authorities regarding the decision.

In a strongly worded press statement, the Somali Future Council condemned the move, describing it as a violation of constitutional principles and an act that undermines cooperation among state institutions.

“The Somali Future Council strongly condemns the decision by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to order the recall of a plane carrying members of both houses of the Federal Parliament from Puntland,” the statement said.

The Council warned that such actions risk damaging political trust and institutional collaboration, and called on national leaders to respect the constitution and safeguard the rights and freedoms of elected representatives. It further urged the federal government to immediately clarify the official reasons behind the decision to halt the lawmakers’ travel.

Lawmakers affected by the incident echoed similar concerns, calling for transparency and restraint. They cautioned against actions that could further inflame political tensions at a time when Somalia is facing a fragile political environment marked by disagreements over governance and the electoral process.

The incident comes amid heightened political friction between the Federal Government and some federal member states, particularly Puntland and Jubaland. Relations have been strained following the collapse of recent political talks in Mogadishu, with regional leaders accusing the federal leadership of unilateral decision-making.

Opposition figures say the forced return of the lawmakers reflects a broader pattern in which political actors with dissenting views have faced restrictions on movement. In recent months, there have been similar incidents involving political delegations and advance teams linked to regional leaders being temporarily denied travel or entry before resolutions were reached.

As of now, neither the Office of the President nor federal aviation or security authorities have issued an official response to the accusations. Political analysts warn that continued uncertainty and lack of clear communication could further deepen divisions at a critical moment for Somalia’s political stability.

The Somali Future Council concluded its statement by calling on all sides to avoid steps that could escalate the crisis, emphasizing the need for dialogue, constitutional adherence, and mutual respect among Somalia’s political stakeholders.