Mogadishu (Somalistandard) – The President of the semiautonomous state of Puntland Said Deni has returned to the region on Monday after spending over a month in Kenya and the United Arab Emirates amid a growing row with the central government of Somalia.
Deni’s absence from Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia, had raised concerns and sparked speculations about the ongoing tensions between Puntland and the central government.
Deni’s trip to Kenya and the UAE was seen as an effort to garner international support and seek allies in the dispute with the Somali government.
The exact nature of his visits and the outcome of his meetings in these countries remain undisclosed.
The rift between Puntland and the central government of Somalia has been escalating in recent months.
Puntland has been critical of the central government’s actions and accused it of overstepping its authority.
Mr. Deni’s state has also been at odds with the federal government over issues related to the distribution of resources, power-sharing, and federalism.
In a surprising turn of events, the Somali government recently announced its willingness to negotiate with Deni, despite his apparent reluctance to engage in talks.
The details of the proposed negotiations are yet to be disclosed, and it remains to be seen whether the talks will result in a resolution to the ongoing dispute between Puntland and the central government.
Deni’s return to Puntland has been met with mixed reactions.
Some see it as a positive development, signalling a renewed opportunity for dialogue and resolution of the conflict.
Others remain cautious, expressing concerns that the underlying issues between Puntland and the central government may not be easily resolved through negotiations alone.
Nevertheless, the outcome of any possible future negotiations between Puntland and the central government will likely have significant implications for the future direction and political stability of Somalia.
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