The much-anticipated homecoming of former Prime Ministers Omar Sharmarke and Abdiwali Gaas, prominent figures leading the opposition coalition in Puntland, a northeastern Federal Member State in Somalia, was expected to provide a much-needed boost to the opposition’s campaign against President Said Deni.
However, their arrival and presence have had an unintended effect, backfiring on the opposition and resulting in surprising defections of some of their members and withdrawals of support by local community leaders.
Their arrival, touted by the opposition leaders as a potential game-changer in their efforts to challenge the state leader, has instead turned out a sudden setback.
In recent years, the popularity of Sharmarke and Gaas, who are widely believed to have the full backing of the Federal Government which is locked in an intense dispute with President Said Abdullahi Deni, has declined among the local population.
The two former Prime Ministers’ alliance with the Federal Government’s top leadership, which unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the recently concluded one-man one-vote elections in Puntland, is believed to have contributed to their loss of support base and has drawn significant public criticism.
Despite the Federal Government’s opposition, the International Community has, however, hailed the elections, the first such a vote process in Somalia as “historic,” further weakening the opposition’s public support among mainstream Somalis.
The return of the two former Prime Ministers, who had spent an extended period living abroad, has also sparked intense scrutiny from the public. Many have questioned their motives and intentions, expressing concerns that their presence could hinder the ongoing democratic process and destabilize the region.
However, the crisis in the region continues to witness shifting alliances, adding to the complexity of the situation. Local officials have reported a significant setback for the state opposition coalition, as influential traditional elders in the region, who were expected to join the opposition and engage in talks in Garowe, have had a change of heart and withdrawn their support.
The dwindling public support for the opposition has played a crucial role in this shift, leaving the elders hesitant and uncertain about aligning themselves with the movement led by Sharmarke and Gaas. In contrast, the latest sudden shift of the elders, represents a significant boost for President Said Deni.
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