Somalia: Deni's plot to extend term takes shape in Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland's outgoing President Said Abdullahi Deni has continued with his masterclass architecture of remaining in power just eight months before the expiry of his term, even with solid opportunity from his critics who have openly decried the plot to undermine constitutionalism of the northern state of Somalia.

On Wednesday, Deni held a meeting with political associations chairmen at State House in Garowe, with the agenda revolving around increasing the number of political parties participating in the state's electoral process. But this, analysts argue, is a "silent" strategy to extend his term by Puntland changing laws.

While the constitution limits parties to three post-election coalitions, Deni's government is reportedly seeking to change and potentially gain support and manipulate city council election outcomes. This, critics say, will enable him to stay in power illegally. 

Even with the meeting of the chairpersons of the political associations, Mideye political organization has openly opposed the 5-party amendment, which coincided with the President's plan to discuss the Puntland Constitution at Thursday's Cabinet meeting.

The sources have confided to Garowe Online, Deni proposes amending the constitution to the Council of Ministers, a move which will potentially spark another round of political storm in the northern state of Somalia which has already dissociated itself from the spirit of federalism.

The potential change, analysts argue, will seek to increase political organizations from 3 to 5 by altering Article 46, and potentially validating speculations that President Dani seeks to extend his term unconstitutionally. With only eight months left in his five-year term and the Puntland Parliament's final session set for June, developments continue to unfold.

Deni is increasingly under pressure to adhere to constitutional guidelines since the October 2021 one-person-one-vote local elections in Ufyen, Qardho, and Eyl which saw opposition parties accuse Kaah, the ruling party of voter fraud, malpractice, and hijacking the process.

Increasing the number of parties retroactively, critics say, gives Deni an "undue" advantage over the rest.

Last year, international partners warned against impending political instability in Puntland, noting that it could pave the way for chaos in the state. For far too long, Puntland, which is the oldest state under a federal system, has been able to control security situations, unlike other parts of Somalia.

Deni, who won the January 2019 election, is under intense scrutiny given that in a similar situation at the national level last year, he openly accused former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of a plot to extend his term without a mandate from the people. 

The outgoing Puntland leader contested for Somalia's presidency in May 2022 but lost to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who won a second term in power. Sources say, Deni is planning to again run for the country's top seat in 2026 and wants to stay in Puntland power until the national election.

GAROWE ONLINE