Somalia: Amid Deni's term extension plot, police vow to target critics on election day

Mumin Abdi Shire, Puntland state police boss [Photo; Puntland police facebook]

GAROWE, Somalia - Critics of Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni will probably face difficult times during local elections, police have hinted, in what could further escalate political tensions in the northeastern Federal state of Somalia, which is facing uncertainty over political unrest in recent weeks over controversial polls.

Deni, who has cut ties with the federal government, is under pressure from the opposition to accommodate divergent views over planned polls, which the opposition has boycotted over "pre-rigging". The voter registration exercise, the opposition said, was "marred with high magnitude irregularity".

Mumin Abdi Shire, the police chief of the state, vowed to take action against individuals who may "attempt" to disrupt upcoming local council elections. The elections, however, lack confidence from both the federal government which called for "consensus to iron out pending issues".

At a press conference in Garowe on Saturday, Mumin said his officers are ready to safeguard the polls from any rowdy "politician, business owners and chaotic people". Those planning to disrupt the exercise will have to take individual responsibility, he added.

"Our message is crystal clear. We will attack the house of anyone who opposes and tries to disrupt the election of the local council," he said.

But the position accuses Deni of "mutilating" democratic processes in the state by plotting to extend his ending 5-year term through the disputed local election. The opposition also warned an amendment to the constitution would be "detrimental to the peace and progress of Puntland".

The controversial polls are scheduled to take place on May 25th just almost two years after the state piloted the universal suffrage model of elections in Ufyen, Qardho and Eyl councils. The outcome at that time, the opposition argued, was conditioned to "favour" the Kaah party which is led by the incumbent Deni.

A number of prominent politicians have warned of potential instability in Puntland, key among them being former regional leaders Abdirahman Faroole and Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas, who called on Deni to drop his plan to amend the constitution and hold a controversial municipal election.

Deni's term will expire in January 2024. He led Puntland to political isolation after falling out with the central government of Somalia and some Federal States.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have jointly criticized Puntland's style of leadership while calling for inclusivity. The seclusion of stakeholders in the upcoming polls spells doom for the future of Puntland, one of the most stable states of Somalia, Hamza said while calling for consensus.

Deni on his part, has continued with the election campaign even in the middle of an economic downturn, political uncertainty and insecurity. Last week, a number of soldiers staged mutiny over unpaid salaries with officials accusing Deni is "mismanagement and incompetence".

The outgoing Puntland president contested for presidency in Somalia last year but lost to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after a stellar performance in the first round. His step of leadership, alleged maladministration and suspected graft have lowered levels of confidence among locals, who accuse him of cannibalizing existing systems to overstay in power.

GAROWE ONLINE