Photo/Somali Times
Puntland State Minister of Finance Hassan Shire Abgal said a constitutional provision gives Puntland the right to secede from Somalia, in the absence of a federal Somali government.
Speaking at a meeting on the outskirts of Garowe, Puntland Finance Minister Abgaal said Puntland would never accept anything less than a federal government of Somalia and abide by the agreement.
“If we give up on a federal system of government, which has something in common, then Puntland is open to secession from the rest of the country,” said Minister Hassan Abgal.
Relations between the Puntland administration and the federal government have soared, with Puntland Governor Said Deni is refusing to attend a meeting of regional administrations and the federal government on conditions.