President Deni pledges unity and cohesion after securing re-election

The official inauguration ceremony of the re-elected Puntland State Government’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni, and his Vice President was held at the Presidential Palace in Garowe on the 25th of January 2024. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from the Federal Government led by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and some of the members of the Somali Federal Government Cabinet. The event also featured the participation of regional leaders, including those from South West, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle, as well as the leader of SSC Khaatumo. President Mohamud was accorded with a cordial welcome upon his arrival in the city from President Deni and other officials from Puntland state as well as lawmakers, ministers, and elders.

Former Prime Ministers Hassan Ali Khaire, Abdi Farah Shirdon, Ali Mohamed Geddi, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, and Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmaarke were among the distinguished guests. The event also drew a high-profile delegation from the neighboring countries including Kenya and Djibouti. The leader of the Federal Government of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who had experienced a strained relationship with President Deni congratulated him for the re-election, emphasizing the importance of a fair election process. “I congratulate President Said Deni and his Vice President for securing their re-election. It’s always good to get re-elected, but in a fair manner,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated during the ceremony. President Deni, in his address, pledged to lead the people of Puntland towards unity and cohesion. He also announced plans for a Somali reconciliation dialogue in Garowe to address differences among Somali leaders. “I thank all Somali leaders who have accepted our invitation. We will host a Somali reconciliation dialogue in Garowe to solve the differences between Somali leaders and societies,” President Deni declared, receiving applause. However, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire expressed strong opposition to the Somali parliament’s move to open the door for constitutional amendments. Many fear that this process could further divide the already fragile political landscape of the country.

“While our country is facing immense threats from external and internal sources, I am very sad that yesterday the federal parliament went ahead with a tension and political crisis that have emerged from the amendment of the country’s Constitution without a consensus,” Khaire remarked, emphasizing the need for a more deliberative approach. To explain that, the Somali parliament on Wednesday 24th of January debated and passed the resolution on procedural rules for constitutional changes including the responsibilities and powers of the constitutional review and implementation committee. The MPs also debated and passed on procedures that needs to be followed for making constitutional changes, voting procedures and taking referendum, according to the document publicized by the parliament. It says the constitution will be provisional until the result of an agreement from the talks between Somalia and ‘Somali regions of Somaliland’ is incorporated into the constitution, and a referendum is held, participated by all Somali nationals. In May last year, Somalia’s leaders reached an agreement that will require constitutional changes if implemented, including restructuring of the leadership system by abolishing the premiership, replaced with the president and vice president of the country elected directly on a single ticket. Back to Garowe, where Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Barre Duale, delivering a robust speech at the inauguration event, criticized Somali political leadership for failing to agree on common interests. He urged unity in facing the common threat posed by terrorist groups, asserting that a military solution alone would not bring sustainable resolution to Somalia’s security challenges. “A military solution only cannot solve Somalia’s security problems,” Minister Duale asserted. International community representatives including UN Special Representative, Catriona Laing, attended the ceremony. Laing congratulated President Deni on his re-election. “Allow me also please to [commend] the collective efforts of the people of Puntland, all the stakeholders who made this possible – the political leaders, including the opposition; traditional elders; civil society; youth; and, of course, women. You all came together to create a peaceful process that is truly a remarkable achievement, and that stands [as a testament] to strong leadership from all these groups,” she said.

She added, “I want to particularly emphasize the importance as you go forward of keeping that sense of inclusion, ensuring women have their rightful seat at the table – I see one waving, it’s a shame there’s not more in the room; next time we’ll see more! – and of course, the youth, the youth who are the future of Somalia.” Deni was re-elected on the 8th of this January by Puntland lawmakers in an indirect election in Garowe following months of gridlock over the electoral process that led to street clashes. The historic re-election of Said Deni raised eyebrows in Villa Somalia as the relations between Puntland leader and president of the Federal government Hassan Sheikh is at a point. The fallout started after Hassan Sheikh’s election in May 2022 which Deni lost to win the top job in Somalia. Puntland wanted to get the post of the Somali PM but failed to secure it.