Somalia: Deni planning term extension, Puntland opposition insists

GAROWE, Somalia - Despite constitutional limitations, outgoing Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is still keen to extend his power, opposition leaders have claimed, with just two months before the regional leader's term expires as provided in the laws.

Under the current provisional constitution, Deni, who ascended to the throne in 2019, is supposed to seek a fresh mandate in January 2024. However, there are deliberate actions that have triggered condemnation from members of the opposition, who accuse the government of a plot to derail polls.

Deni, the opposition believes, is keen to use Puntland security Forces to extend his stay in power, subsequently, violating the constitution. There are also concerns that the United Arab Emirates [UAE] trained PMPF troops are mixing with politics, helping President Deni stay in power.

But in the statement, the opposition warned that any attempt by Deni to overstay in office would have "negative consequences and affect the stability of the state". Initially, they had threatened to conduct polls if Puntland's Electoral Commission [PEC] failed to hold elections on 8th Jan. 2024.

“We are calling on the army and their commanders to uphold the law, and not lead Puntland to chaos and destruction,” the statement from the opposition reads in part.

While Deni is arguing he will hold universal suffrage polls, the opposition decries the lack of credibility in voter registration where underage people were given an opportunity to enroll, adding that the old system where clans have a major say should be enforced during the exercise.

Mohamed Abdirahman Mohamad, one of the lead opposition presidential candidates, insisted that Deni should come out and withdraw plans to extend the term which could have negative consequences on the state's stability. He insisted that dragging the troops into politics was uncalled for.

"Said Dani's claim of being in office by force and his call for the military to defend the "supremacy of the law" has sparked concern. The opposition requested the president to ensure the election timeline and not subject to any illegal term extension," he said.

The opposition has often questioned the voter registration exercise and subsequent local council elections in which Deni's KAAH party emerged victorious via fraud and malpractice. The old model of 66-MP presidential voting, they said, would enable the state to plan for internal reforms that would foster future elections.

GAROWE ONLINE