Somalia: Ex-pirate ringleader linked to chaos in Puntland capital

GAROWE, Somalia - A former pirate ringleader has been linked to the most recent chaos in the Puntland capital, residents confirmed to Garowe Online, in what could directly impact the ongoing electoral debacles in Somalia's northeastern Federal state.

Presently, Puntland is struggling with electoral problems, squarely blamed on term-ending leader Said Abdullahi Deni, who is accused of a plot to extend his term, albeit illegally. Puntland elections are constitutionally set to be held in January 2024.

But information gathered by Garowe Online, which has since been verified independently, indicates that a YouTuber named Captain Ayub, who lives in Germany, created insecurity in Puntland, following his arrival this week.

Investigators have established that Ayub's attempt to speak to Deni supporters in a public square on Tuesday in the capital, Garowe led to armed clashes in the state. Puntland is regarded as one of the most stable federal states in Somalia, a country struggling with civil war. 

The nickname Captain was given to him by his pirate group as he was the ringleader who planned the hijack of the MV Iceberg 1, a Panama-flagged roll-on/roll-off cargo ship on March 29, 2010, investigations have shown. He was responsible death of one crew member, Wagdi Akram, who committed suicide on 27 October 2010 by jumping overboard and physically abuse subjected to others.

It was the longest-held hijacked ship until the Puntland Maritime forces released it and 22 crew members on 23 December 2012. At that time, piracy was frequent on Somalia's coastline and the international community had to chip in to deal with the situation quickly.

At that time, records obtained by Garowe Online have shown, the former pirate who has since turned into a Germany-based YouTuber escaped from arrest during the rescue operation and was subsequently, sentenced to death by a court in absentia.

Wearing a military uniform, he landed in Puntland’s Bosaso port city days ago and is being protected by the Puntland Marine Police Force [PMPF], who are now assigned to him by President Deni, given his role in the campaign team for the controversial elections.

Upon arrival, he gained influence by talking about the war between SSC-Khatumo and Somaliland, and defamation of politicians who oppose Deni's plan to stay in office beyond his mandate illegally and hold a disputed election at gunpoint next year.

When he arrived in Garowe, he was met by angry residents from the clans he was insulting while in Germany. He is said to be a close confidant of Deni, who has been stifling the opposition, including through the imposition of direct polls without due diligence.

While in Germany, sources add, he used to take money from Deni's office, as he was defending and defaming his opponents. President Deni, despite persistently denying the plot to extend the term, has been involved in changing electoral laws and the constitution.

Also, Bosaso, the commercial capital of Puntland, witnessed a confrontation between UAE-trained PMPF loyal to Deni and other soldiers during a coordinated protest supporting the controversial universal suffrage polls.

The presidency provided PMPF soldiers to protect the YouTuber campaigning for the incumbent Deni. They opened fire on other soldiers, sparking a confrontation that resulted in casualties in Garowe city on Tuesday morning.

Opposition leaders in Puntland have vowed to go on with the clan-based model of elections, citing malpractices witnessed during the local council elections in which underage voters are said to have participated.

Deni whose tenure is expiring in two months remained defiant despite elders’ endorsement of the 66-MP voting system and calls from members of the international community who are advocating for consensus.

GAROWE ONLINE