Somalia's Puntland autonomous region refused to recognize the authority of the Somali federal government until the dispute over the constitutional amendments is resolved, the regional State House announced in a statement.
"The Puntland Government has withdrawn its recognition and confidence in the Federal Government Institutions, until such time a comprehensive constitutional framework is negotiated and agreed upon by the Somali people, of which Puntland is a part of," the statement said.
Puntland claimed that the constitution adopted in 2012 was changed without taking into account the views of all Somalis, including those in the region.
The authorities also noted that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud "has lost the constitutional governing mandate of the Presidency" because he abrogated the constitution on which he was elected."
"In accordance with the Puntland Constitution [...], Puntland shall exercise [the] powers of an independent state," the State House added.
The constitutional amendments were reportedly approved on Saturday in a joint session of the bicameral federal parliament in the capital, Mogadishu.
Amendments to the first four chapters of the constitution gives the president significantly more powers, introduces direct elections, and extends the term of the federal government, local media reported.
Under the amendments, the president of Somalia will now be able to both appoint and dismiss the prime minister, and the head of state will be directly elected by the citizens of the country. Before this, the dismissal of the prime minister was the responsibility of the parliament.
The federal government will have its term extended from four to five years, the media added.