Garowe(Mogadishu24)-Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni has voiced strong opposition to a map circulated by Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, which suggests a territorial dispute between Puntland and Galmudug in the Mudug region.

The map, shared widely on social media, outlines areas where the Turkish seismic survey vessel, Oruç Reis, is set to explore for gas, sparking controversy.

President Deni clarified that while Mudug was historically a single region before the collapse of Somalia’s central government, it is now divided between Puntland and Galmudug states.

“There is no dispute between the two states,” Deni emphasized, calling it “unfortunate” that the federal government would create such confusion.

He stated that Puntland and Galmudug enjoy peace and cooperation and share no land disputes.

The controversy comes shortly after the Turkish ship’s arrival in Mogadishu for a gas exploration mission and amid rising tensions as Puntland and Jubaland opt out of the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting scheduled in Mogadishu.

The federal government’s release of the map has raised questions about federal-state relations and the broader agenda of the NCC meeting, which aims to tackle pressing issues, including resource sharing and governance.