Puntland's President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced a sweeping restructuring of the regional police force, appointing a new second deputy commander and fresh leadership across key departments, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and regional police commands. The move is seen as part of broader security reforms to strengthen law enforcement in the semi-autonomous state.
In a heated address, Puntland’s president charged the Somali federal government with systematically eroding the nation’s federal model, warning that recent political maneuvers in Mogadishu threaten to concentrate authority and sideline regional states. The remarks signal deepening rifts ahead of critical national talks.
President Said Abdullahi Deni of the Puntland regional administration has issued a decree from his office implementing a significant reshuffle of the cabinet. The directive includes the appointment of new ministers, deputy ministers, state ministers, directors, and regional governors as part of the governmental restructuring.
Facing travel restrictions and an increasingly tense security situation in Mogadishu, the lawmakers opted to hold their consultations in the Kenyan capital, a venue that has frequently hosted Somali political dialogues. The meeting reflects a deepening estrangement between the federal government and the regional states, with MPs from the three federal member states seeking to coordinate their stance on constitutional disputes, security arrangements, and recent political upheavals in Southwest Somalia. Participants describe the initiative as part of a broader effort to maintain legislative cohesion when access to the national capital is constrained.