Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has held a meeting with prominent Puntland traditional elder Islaan Ciise Islaan Mohamed at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, as political disagreements between the Federal Government and Puntland continue.
The meeting took place on Saturday evening, October 24, 2026, with discussions focusing on the role of traditional leaders in promoting peace, reconciliation and stability across Somalia. The Somali presidency said the talks also addressed efforts to strengthen social cohesion and state institutions.
Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Ali Yusuf Ali attended the meeting, highlighting the involvement of the federal government’s reconciliation portfolio in discussions on the contribution of traditional leadership to the country’s stability.
However, the presidency did not disclose whether the two sides discussed the ongoing political disagreements between Mogadishu and Puntland, nor did it announce any decisions or agreements resulting from the meeting.
Political dispute
Puntland has been among the regional administrations involved in disputes with the federal authorities over the direction of Somalia’s political transition. The disagreements have raised questions about relations between Mogadishu and federal member states and the prospects for reaching consensus on key national issues.
Against this backdrop, the meeting between Hassan Sheikh and a prominent traditional leader from Puntland has drawn attention to the potential role of community elders in reconciliation efforts. However, there is no confirmation that the discussions were intended to address the dispute directly.
The presidency’s statement instead emphasised the broader importance of traditional leaders in fostering peace, supporting dialogue and strengthening relations among communities.
Who is Islaan Ciise Islaan Mohamed?
Islaan Ciise Islaan Mohamed is a prominent traditional elder in Puntland, particularly in the Nugaal region, where traditional leadership plays a role in community affairs, mediation and consultations.
Traditional elders have historically helped mediate disputes between communities, facilitate reconciliation and mobilise local support for peace initiatives. Their influence can be particularly important in areas where clan structures and customary mechanisms remain central to resolving disagreements.
Islaan Ciise has previously participated in mediation efforts involving communities affected by conflict in parts of Puntland, according to the report.
In April 2026, he also led a delegation of traditional elders and community representatives to Mogadishu to attend the inauguration of a Somali traditional leader, demonstrating his involvement in wider traditional leadership engagements beyond Puntland.
His latest meeting with the president therefore brings a prominent regional traditional figure into discussions centred on peacebuilding and national stability, although the precise political implications of the encounter remain unclear.
According to the presidency, the discussions highlighted the contribution traditional elders can make towards strengthening social cohesion, supporting reconciliation and promoting stability across Somalia.
The talks also addressed their role in supporting state institutions, an issue that remains significant as the country navigates political disagreements and efforts to consolidate governance.