Puntland leader Deni jolts donors, rivals with governance structure
Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni. In a meeting held on March 20, 2023 in Nairobi, international donors criticized his decision to act ‘independent’ of the Somali government. PHOTO | FILE | NMG
Somalia’s Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni was seen as a quiet businessman without controversy. However, since last year, he has been raising dust in the nation’s local politics with decisions that have been objected to by donors, opponents and the federal government.
Somalia’s donors on Monday criticised him at a meeting in Nairobi. The meeting is a result of Puntland’s decision to act ‘independent’ from Somalia’s government, including boycotting meetings under an inter-governmental caucus known as the National Consultative Council (NCC) which is supposed to work on the country’s permanent constitution.
