Somalia’s Puntland leader puts forces on alert over fears of federal intervention
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) The leader of northeastern Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, on Tuesday ordered regional forces to remain on high alert and prepare for a possible offensive by Somalia’s federal government, warning of a scenario similar to the one in which Southwest state leader Abdiasis Laftagaren was toppled. Deni said developments in other […]
Black News 
MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) The leader of northeastern Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, on Tuesday ordered regional forces to remain on high alert and prepare for a possible offensive by Somalia’s federal government, warning of a scenario similar to the one in which Southwest state leader Abdiasis Laftagaren was toppled.
Deni said developments in other federal member states could be replicated in Puntland, urging security forces to make all necessary preparations for such an eventuality. He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of seeking to centralize power and dismantle the federal system that has been in place in Somalia for two decades.
Referring to recent remarks by a pro-government religious scholar with clan ties to the president and who also serves as his adviser Ali Wajis, Deni said calls for ruling Somalia region by region under a centralized system reflect not only the cleric’s views but also those of the president. He added that similar messages had been conveyed previously by the President himself.
Deni made the comments during a meeting with regional security officials, whom he praised for maintaining law and order across Puntland. His remarks suggested concern over a potential effort by the federal government to weaken the region’s security apparatus, including attempts to win over elements within it ahead of any move to unseat the administration.
In recent years, Deni has undertaken a series of security overhauls, dismissing several top officials and establishing a new police force responsible for safeguarding major urban centers across the region.
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