Puntland’s Path to Durable Democracy and the Challenges of Having Inclusive Dialogue and Gun Control

Abstract

In the mid of 2023, the State of Puntland witnessed a historic landmark of holding democratic elections since in 1969. Puntland is a state in northeastern the Federal Republic of Somalia, and occupies one-third of the country, is a home to almost four million people. Since its founding in 1998, there has been four peacefully transferring of power in 2005, 2009, 2014 and 2019, and none of those elections were in a form of popular elections. Hitherto, Puntland has upheld democracy as a fundamental principle. However, its democratic process seems to be at a halt, even though the local council elections were held in thirty-three districts out of fifty districts including the capital city—Garoowe due to different circumstances. Hence, this paper seeks to explore Puntland’s Path to Durable Democracy and the Challenges of having Inclusive Dialogue and Gun Control. The study uses descriptive qualitative research methods through data generation techniques to analyze literature and relevant secondary sources—reports, executive orders, declarations to obtain information and detailed understanding of the topic as a method of data collection. The result indicates that Puntland’s democratic process can be endured if the heavy weapons in the hands of ordinary people are strictly regulated and controlled and the government embraces a positive attitude towards the acceptance of constructive criticism by opening doors for politicians, intellectuals, civil society, media and marginalized groups to ensure inclusivity leaving no one behind.