Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland withdraws from federal system: summary

What we know

• Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland said on March 31 that it has withdrawn from the country's federal system after disputed constitutional changes
• Puntland said it will govern itself independently until constitutional amendments passed by the central government are approved in a nationwide referendum.
• The federal parliament in Mogadishu on March 30 approved several constitutional changes that the government says are necessary to establish a stable political system.
• Critics say the changes, which include introducing direct presidential elections and allowing the president to appoint a prime minister without parliamentary approval, concentrate power in the hands of the executive.
• The rift is another headache for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is struggling to end an al Qaeda-linked insurgency.

What they said

 The government of Puntland in a statement on March 31 said "Puntland will act independently until there is a federal government with a constitution that is agreed upon by a referendum in which Puntland takes part."