Somalia: Deni Visits Galkayo as Puntland Tightens Grip on Security Control

GALKAYO, Somalia — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni arrived in Galkayo on Saturday for meetings with community representatives, security officials, and city authorities, with security and the restoration of law and order expected to top the agenda.

Deni travelled overnight from Puntland's capital, Garowe, to Galkayo, underscoring his administration's ability to move its senior officials between cities after dark despite persistent security challenges elsewhere in Somalia.

During his stay, Deni is also expected to review the administrative system in the Mudug region and ongoing development projects, according to officials familiar with his visit.

The trip comes two days after clashes in Galkayo between Puntland security forces and armed units aligned with Somalia's federal government, adding to tensions between Puntland and the Mogadishu-based term-ended Federal Government.

The fighting centred on control of security installations in the city. Puntland forces subsequently took control of a military facility previously held by forces aligned with the federal government, further consolidating the administration's presence in the central town of Galkayo, which shares a border with Galmudug regional state.

The developments in Galkayo followed a separate incident in Bosaso, Puntland's main commercial port, where Puntland forces recently took control of the former Puntland Security Force headquarters from FGS-backed militia organized to destabilize the Gulf of Aden city.

The Bosaso operation marked a significant escalation in a long-running dispute over the command and control of security forces in Puntland. The former PSF had been at the centre of a political and security confrontation between President Deni and forces seen as sympathetic to the federal government.

Puntland authorities have described their recent operations as a clear message to the FGS - Federal Government of Somalia and efforts to bring armed units and security facilities under the authority of the regional government and strengthen security and public order.

The clashes come amid broader political tensions between Puntland and the federal government, which have been at odds over constitutional changes, elections and the distribution of political and security powers.

Deni's visit to Galkayo is therefore being closely watched as an opportunity to assess the security situation, engage local communities and authorities, and reinforce Puntland's control over its security institutions following the recent confrontations.

GAROWE ONLINE