Deni Prevails Over Opposition, FGS As Puntland’s Local Elections Garner Int’l Support

The International partners of Somalia have commended Puntland State for it’s commitment in organizing democratic local elections, fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of its people.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, the international partners referred the ongoing election process as a ‘historic’ event that would lead to direct elections.

The statement comes amidst growing domestic political challenges facing the state leader Said Deni’s leadership and sustained pressure from the Somali President and Prime Minister who have subsequently expressed concerns over Puntland’s pre-election procedures and warned that the process leading up to the local elections on May 25th could potentially spark civil unrest.

However, Mr. Deni, the President of Puntland, has dismissed the criticism and accused the opposition of receiving financial, political support, and weapons from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who he believes is hell bent to destabilize the historically stable region in an attempt to remove him and install his favourite candidate.

Meanwhile, political analysts have suggested that the newfound international support for Puntland’s local government polls serves as a crucial boost for the state leader’s leadership and affirmed the credibility of the election process.

The international partners endorsement also provides Deni a significant counterweight against the opposition’s pressure, they noted.

In a new development related to the elections, influential local traditional elders from the Nugaal region, led by Islan Isse Islan Mohamed, have issued new directives, ordering the removal of militias in the city of Garowe, the provincial capital of the region, to ensure an unimpeded completion of the local elections.

This move poses a challenge to the opposition coalition’s sustained pressure on the State President, including the deployment of pro-opposition troops in the town that have blocked major roads that led to the temporary closure of Garowe’s airport.

In addition, the elders’ statement also called on the Puntland Attorney General’s Office to withdraw the arrest warrants issued against prominent political leaders in the city in a bid to de-escalate the situation.