Puntland is embroiled in a new crisis

At least 20 people have died in Monday's fighting between two rival troops within the Puntland security agencies in Bossaso, the regional capital of Bari on the Gulf of Aden.

News Keydmedia Online
Puntland is embroiled in a new crisis

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Puntland entered a new phase of security and political crisis following Monday's clashes in Bossaso which left at least 20 people, mostly soldiers dead and dozens wounded.

The fighting erupted after a humanitarian aid plane with the First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of the Somali Parliament Sadiya Yasin Samatar was turned away from Bossaso airport.

Bossaso incident has further divided Puntland's top leaders, with Vice President Ahmed Karash sacking the Ministers of Aviation Hussein Osman Lugator and Sea Transport Ahmed Yasin Salah yesterday while President Deni is on an overseas trip.

This has fueled the political crisis in Puntland and the power struggle between Deni and Karash has now reached the highest level that could end up in a no-confidence motion against the president.

The Puntland parliament has twice this week rejected to approve the appointment of judges of the region's Supreme Court by the president in what gives a clear signal of the MPs' revolt.

Deni has been losing confidence in Puntland since he run for Somali president on May 15 of this year. He is also facing pressure from Villa Somalia after clashing with Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

In December last year, Bossaso witnessed a deadly war after the Puntland security force [PSF], a US-trained and funded counter-terrorism unit, and PMPF under Deni's command.

It came after Deni sacked a powerful PSF commander Mohamud Osman Diyano, who resisted the dismissal. After mediation by local elders, the president reinstated Diyano into office.

Now, Deni who has been in power since 2019 is at loggerheads with Vice President Ahmed Karash over the control of Puntland, the oldest Federal-State in northeastern Somalia.

KEYDMEDIA English

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