Said Abdullahi Deni Secures Re-Election as Puntland President in Hotly Contested Polls

Garowe – President Said Abdullahi Deni, 56, has been successfully re-elected as the President of Somalia’s Puntland regional state in a closely observed electoral battle on Monday. 

The election, held in Garowe, the administrative capital of the state involved 10 candidates, including Deni’s predecessor Dr Abdiweli Gaas and former Somalia Minister of Foreign Affairs Abshir Haruse.

The regional assembly consisting of 66 lawmakers participated in the voting process. Deni secured victory in the third round, securing 45 votes and outpacing his opponent Guled Salah Barre, who garnered 21 votes.

Puntland Lawmakers at the Assembly during the election for the President of the regional state. Photo/ GTN

Following the election, President Said Abdullahi Deni expressed gratitude to the committee members of the Puntland House of Representatives, acknowledging their pivotal role in facilitating the electoral process. 

He extended his thanks to Presidential Candidates, the Vice President of Puntland Ilyas Osman, and the security forces who demonstrated unwavering commitment in fulfilling their duties. 

“I urge the people of Puntland, politicians, scholars, and armed forces to unite and collaborate in advancing the government and fostering the development of the region,” said President Deni. 

Securing a rare feat, he becomes the first President to be re-elected twice since 1998 when Puntland state declared autonomy and selected Abdullahi Yusuf as its inaugural president. During that period, Puntland operated with a singular-chamber quasi-legislature known as the Council of Elders.

The Federal government and various regional administrations in Somalia have extended their congratulations on the re-election of President Deni. 

“The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has congratulates the re-elected President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, wishing him to fulfill his mandate,”read a dispatch from office of the President of Somalia. 

Mr. Deni is widely known for his role in education in Puntland where he helped establish schools and universities. In 2022 and 2017 he mounted an unsuccessful run for president of Somalia.

Situated in northern Somalia, Puntland has, for the most part, managed to evade the severe impacts of the country’s prolonged state of lawlessness. However, certain areas within the region still grapple with the presence of both al-Shabab and Islamic State militants, who sporadically engage in attacks on security forces.