In a significant development on Monday, Said Abdullahi Deni was successfully re-elected as the president of the semi-autonomous Somali state of Puntland, a region known for its strained relations with the central government in Mogadishu. Deni, who previously served as a minister in the national government and has been leading the oil-rich region since 2019, expressed satisfaction with the election process, emphasizing its peaceful nature.
“I say to all of us, let us fear God and forget the past and open a new page, work towards peace and development,” remarked the 58-year-old Deni following his election by regional lawmakers. Despite the positive tone, the vote for local council representatives and the regional leadership stirred tensions, with opposition politicians accusing Deni of attempting to amend the constitution to prolong his stay in power.
In June, violent clashes erupted in Puntland’s capital, Garowe, between armed opposition factions and the police, resulting in at least eight casualties. This incident occurred a month after the state conducted its first direct polls in over half a century during local council elections.
Originally planning to conduct parliamentary polls through a one-person one-vote system, regional authorities reversed their decision last month due to opposition pressure. Instead, they opted for a complex, clan-based ballot. It’s worth noting that Somalia’s national government and federal member states haven’t experienced direct elections since 1969, when the dictator Siad Barre seized power.
In contrast, Puntland’s neighbor, Somaliland, declared independence in 1991 and has held direct voting, although it remains unrecognized internationally. Deni, who previously ran for Somalia’s presidency in 2017 and 2022, has consistently clashed not only with the central government in Mogadishu but also with Somaliland.
Puntland declared autonomy in 1998, citing its abundant natural resources, including the Bosasso port. Deni, an influential businessman in import-export and real estate, served as the federal minister of planning and international cooperation from 2014 to 2017.
The longstanding territorial dispute between Puntland and Somaliland over Las Anod, a contested city in the self-proclaimed republic, witnessed deadly fighting last year between Somaliland troops and a clan militia. This territorial discord remains a contentious issue as both regions continue to assert their claims.
