Federal Government Forces Flight Carrying Over 30 Puntland Lawmakers to Return to Mogadishu

The political standoff between Somalia's Federal Government and the regional state of Puntland has reached a precarious new level. In an unprecedented and highly controversial move, a commercial passenger flight carrying more than 30 federal lawmakers to the Puntland capital of Garowe was ordered to turn back to Mogadishu midair.

The parliamentarians, who represent Puntland in both chambers of the Federal Parliament, were traveling to attend a high level consultative meeting convened by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni. The gathering, scheduled for the following day, was organized to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Somalia.

This drastic midair diversion coincides with a mysterious and sweeping directive reportedly issued by the leadership of both houses of the Federal Parliament. The directive instructs national security agencies to prevent lawmakers and cabinet ministers from leaving the country or the capital. The exact justification for this sudden travel restriction remains undisclosed, adding a layer of tension to an already volatile political climate.

Lawmakers Confined and Constitutional Rights Questioned

The affected lawmakers have vehemently condemned the incident, describing it as a blatant violation of their constitutional rights and parliamentary immunity. They argue the decision was a calculated act of political interference designed to sever them from their constituencies at a critical juncture in the nation's constitutional trajectory.

Senator Farhan Ali Hussein, one of the lawmakers forced back to the capital, painted a grim picture of their current situation.

"We are confined in Halane, all our movements have been stopped, and President Hassan said he will not authorize our release when approached," the Senator stated.

His remarks directly implicate the highest office in the country, suggesting that the travel ban is a politically motivated mandate emanating directly from the presidency.

Puntland Retaliates: Daallo Airlines Suspended

The response from Puntland was swift and punitive. Puntland’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports immediately announced the suspension of Daallo Airlines from operating in all airports within its jurisdiction. The ministry accused the airline of endangering the lives of Puntland officials and citizens on two separate occasions. The lawmakers had been traveling on a Daallo Airlines flight when the order to return to Mogadishu was executed. The airline has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the suspension.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni escalated the rhetoric further, accusing the Federal Government of actively fueling the political rift and demonstrating a complete disregard for the rule of law. Deni equated the confinement of the lawmakers in Mogadishu to a "political kidnapping."

"If it comes to the point where citizens are being held hostage, our response will take a very different course. The violations committed against this community require an immediate answer. When we file official legal complaints, we will demand reparations and accountability for the harm caused by this incident," President Deni warned.

He urgently called on the Federal Government to allow the lawmakers to travel to their home state and to cease actions that further alienate the public from state building efforts.

Opposition Outcry and Institutional Weaponization

The incident has also galvanized political opposition within Mogadishu. The Somali Future Council, an opposition aligned political coalition, issued a strongly worded press release condemning the action, which they directly attributed to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Dr. Mohamed Adan Koofi, the Secretary General of the Somali Future Council, described the midair diversion as illegal and incredibly dangerous.

"I strongly condemn today’s action against national parliamentarians, especially those from Puntland," Koofi stated. "The plane they were traveling on was prevented from continuing its journey, which could jeopardize their safety."

The Council argued that the executive branch's interference in the travel of elected officials is a severe breach of the separation of powers and a direct assault on the legislative branch. Furthermore, they warned against the weaponization of national institutions. The Council emphasized that the Civil Aviation Authority is strictly mandated to ensure airspace safety and regulation, and must never be utilized as an instrument for political coercion.

The Broader Political Context

This airspace confrontation is merely the latest symptom of a much deeper institutional crisis. Relations between the Federal Government in Mogadishu and the semiautonomous state of Puntland have been steadily deteriorating over fundamental disputes regarding the rewriting of the provisional constitution, the centralization of executive power, and the electoral framework for the highly anticipated 2026 elections.

Puntland has previously withdrawn its recognition of the Federal Government's constitutional amendments, accusing Mogadishu of attempting to unilaterally alter the national consensus. By weaponizing civil aviation and restricting the freedom of movement of elected representatives, the political battlefield in Somalia has expanded from parliamentary chambers into the skies, threatening to fracture the fragile trust required to maintain the country's federal system.