Puntland president inaugurated for second term as Somalia rules out dialogue with Ethiopia

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland president Said Abdullahi Deni has been inaugurated for a second term on Thursday after winning historic elections on 8th January, which were preceded by chaos and uncertainty, as opposition pushed for indirect polls in the northern state of Somalia.

Hundreds of people turned out in Garowe to witness the historic ceremony, which comes at the Time Somalia is embroiled in a conflict with Ethiopia over access to the sea, with Mogadishu threatening to 'defend' her territory from external aggression.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of the Federal Government of Somalia, seized the opportunity to call out Ethiopia, which signed an MoU with Somaliland. Ethiopia is looking for 20 kilometers of the Red Sea with Somaliland pushing for recognition.

"We will not speak with someone, who wants to annex part of our land, we reject Ethiopia's policy and it will not realize its goal," said Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia, who was the chief guest of the ceremony.

He added: "The ball is in your court’ we wait for how you respond." Hassan Sheikh had maintained that the country will not gamble with territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is under threat from Ethiopians, who have defended the move, arguing that 'we are not annexing any country'.

The event was also graced by Kenya's defense minister Aden Duale, who expressed Nairobi’s commitment to support the federal government of Somalia to realise stability. Kenya is a key security and development partner of Somalia.

"President Hassan Sheikh has shown in action that he is committed to the security of Somalia, the security of the region, and in our war against terrorism," said Aden Duale in his speech at the Puntland president's inauguration in Garowe today.

"Since Deni won re-election, in his 2nd term, he should make a history, a broader reconciliation is needed, unite the people, and no one is left behind," added Senator Farole, one of the founding fathers of Puntland during his speech at the presidential inauguration in Garowe.

Deni will serve the second term after the first term which ended this month. But since then, he has reached out to the opposition, expressing the need to work together. Hassan Sheikh's appearance was also a manifestation that the Federal Government will closely work with regional states.

GAROWE ONLINE