Fears of violence grow as Somalia scraps power-sharing system

Semi-autonomous state of Puntland refuses to recognise changes to the fragile country's constitution and has withdrawn from the federal system

An overhaul of Somalia's constitution, scrapping its power-sharing system and handing the president increased control, is threatening to destabilise the fragile country, as its wealthiest and most stable state refuses to recognise the changes.

The amendments risk worsening violence, the information minister from the semi-autonomous state of Puntland has warned. Mohamud Aidid Dirir told the Guardian that almost a totally new constitution" had been introduced without input from the state's leaders. He accused the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of using parliament to gather authority into his hands".