2024 Puntland presidential election

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2024 Puntland presidential election
Flag of Puntland.svg
  2019 8 January 2024 (2024-01-08)2029 

66 members of the House of Representatives
45 votes needed to win
  Said Abdullahi Deni (22-05-2021) (cropped).jpg Guled Salah Barre.jpg
Candidate Said Abdullahi Deni Guled Salah Barre
Party Kaah Independent
Electoral vote4521

President before election

Said Abdullahi Deni
Kaah

Elected President

Said Abdullahi Deni
Kaah

Indirect presidential elections were held in Puntland on 8 January 2024. The president was elected by 66 members of the House of Representatives in the administrative capital Garoowe and were the fifth election since the state's formation in 1998. Preceding the elections, a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speaker was held on 4 January 2024, by the 6th Parliament of Puntland. The pool of candidates comprises officials from the current Puntland administration, former government ministers, and notable local entrepreneurs. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Background

The elections followed deadly clashes triggered by proposed changes to the electoral system by current leader Said Abdullahi Deni. Deni had sought to implement direct elections for the presidency. However, in November 2023 the proposal was abandoned as armed opposition politicians and clan elders opposed it, underscoring the ongoing complexities surrounding democratic processes in Puntland. [4]

UN Special Representative Catriona Laing acknowledged the state's leaders for their notable efforts in engaging diverse groups. Laing urged President Deni to extend this outreach beyond opposition leaders, elders, and clan representatives, emphasizing the inclusion of youth, women, and scholars. The objective is to build consensus and ensure a peaceful electoral process during the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, slated for February 2024, as proposed by the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC). [5] [6]

Laing commended Puntland for its successful implementation of one-person, one-vote elections in May 2023, applauding the region as an "island of stability" and a democratic trailblazer, particularly through its effective district-level elections. She reaffirmed the United Nations' dedication to collaborating with the Puntland government and its people, working towards the realization of peaceful and inclusive parliamentary and presidential elections that gain recognition from all stakeholders. [7]

Federal Government—Puntland relations

Catriona Laing, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, visited Puntland. She discussed crucial issues with Puntland's leaders, political figures, and civil society representatives, covering topics like the state's ties with the Federal Government of Somalia. [8]

In the Puntland election, candidates hold varying perspectives on federalism and the relationship with the Mogadishu government. Some advocate for defending Puntland's constitutional rights as a federal member state of Somalia, while others propose engagement in dialogues. the complex dynamics surrounding Puntland's position within the federal structure and its interactions with the central government in Mogadishu. [4]

SSC-Khatumo

With the crisis in Las Anod, UN Special Representative Catriona Laing highlighted the displacement of approximately 280,000 people due to the conflict that erupted in February. The unrest resulted in substantial loss of lives and the disruption of livelihoods for those affected. [9]

Traditional elders from SSC-Khatumo have expressed support for holding Puntland's presidential elections on 8 January 2024. Notably, Puntland faces sharp differences between the ruling party, led by President Said Abdullahi Deni, and the opposition, with contrasting preferences for the election dates—January or February. SSC traditional elders advocate for the 8 January date and emphasize the need for the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC) to conduct parliamentary polls within 12 months of the presidential elections. They also call for voting through the one-person-one-vote system. [10]

The political landscape is further influenced by the ongoing SSC-Khatumo saga, impacting discussions about their future relationship with Puntland, even after their recent departure. Representatives from Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn in the 6th Parliament of Puntland contribute to the ongoing dialogue about SSC-Khatumo's position within the region. [11]

On 24 December 2023, Deputy Chairman of Puntland Supreme Court, Ahmed Sheikh Omar Hassan, from SSC-KHATUMO, issued a personal legal opinion on SSC's exit, stating it lacks required legal procedures. Recommends Puntland proceed with elections, consider postponement, and designates sitting SSC MPs as temporary representatives in Puntland parliament until a resolution is reached. [12]

Candidates

This election marked a significant milestone in the political landscape of Puntland, widely regarded as one of the most challenging contests since the establishment of Puntland. Candidates included:

Results

On January 8, 2024, Said Abdullahi Deni, the incumbent President of Puntland, was re-elected following an election held in Garowe, the capital of Puntland. [16] Deni emerged victorious in the third round of the election, securing 45 votes, while Guled Salah Barre, the remaining candidate, received 21 votes. [17] Deni became the first president of Puntland to be re-elected, and he held office for another five-year term. [16]

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond roundThird round
Votes%Votes%Votes%
Said Abdullahi Deni Kaah 3553.034060.614568.18
Guled Salah Barre Independent913.641725.762131.82
Abshir Omar Huruse Mideeye 812.12913.64
Hassan Shire Abgal Kaah 57.58
Ahmed Isse Awad Independent46.06
Asad Osman Abdullahi Mideeye 34.55
Mohamed Abdirahman Farole Horseed 23.03
Total66100.0066100.0066100.00
Source: Caasimada, Caasimada Garowe Online

Reactions

International community

Flag of the United Nations.svg  UN: UNSOM – Somalia's international partners commend the peaceful conclusion of Puntland's presidential election on 8 January 2024. Acknowledging the efforts of political and electoral stakeholders, they urge all parties to resolve disputes peacefully through legal means. Emphasizing the importance of greater participation of women and youth in future processes, international partners reaffirm their commitment to Somalia's democratic governance and progress toward fair, transparent and direct elections.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puntland</span> Federal state in northeastern Somalia

Puntland, officially the Puntland State of Somalia, is an autonomous territory formed in 1998 that became a Federal Member State. Puntland is located in the northeastern part of Somalia and its state capital is the city of Garoowe in the Nugal region. The region had a population of 4,334,633 in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South West State of Somalia</span> Federal member state of Somalia

The South-West State of Somalia (Somali: - Koonfur Galbeed),, is a Federal Member State in southwestern Somalia. It was founded by Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, leader of the Somalia RRA on 1 April 2002. It was the third autonomous region to be established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Somalia</span>

During the civilian administration that existed prior to the seizure of power by the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) in 1969, there were a number of local political parties. Most notable of these early institutions was the Somali Youth League, the nation's first political organization. Upon assuming office, the Siad Barre-led SRC outlawed all extant political parties and advocated a form of scientific socialism inspired by Maoist China and the Soviet Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bosaso Airport</span> Airport

Bosaso Airport, also known as Bosaso International Airport, is an airport in Somalia. It sits at 11°16′32″N 49°9′0″E on the outer edge of the city of Bosaso, the commercial capital of the northeastern Puntland macro-region and adjacent to the Gulf of Aden. It is the second largest airport in the country after the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.

The Puntland–Somaliland war is a ongoing war over the provinces of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn of Togdheer regions between the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and the Puntland state of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buuhoodle</span> City in Khatumo, Somalia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdirahman Farole</span> Former President of Puntland, Somalia

Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamoud Farole is a Somali politician. He served for many years in the government, acting as a governor of the Nugal region of Somalia in the 1990s and later as the Minister of Finance of the autonomous Puntland region in the northeast. From 8 January 2009 to 8 January 2014, Farole was also the President of Puntland. Farole's multipronged efforts at creating provisions and collaboration with international polities and organizations resulted in a drastic decrease in piracy along the Marinka Gardafuul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khatumo State</span> Autonomous Administration in northern Somalia

SSC-Khaatumo, officially known as the SSC-Khaatumo Administration , is an autonomous administration in Northern Somalia, with its capital in Las Anod. It includes parts of the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions It is bordered by Puntland to the east, the Somali Region of Ethiopia to the south, Somaliland to the west and the Gulf of Aden to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdiweli Gaas</span> Former president of Puntland and Prime Minister of Somalia

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, also more known as Abdiweli Gaas, is a Somali American economist and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Somalia from June 2011 to October 2012, and briefly afterwards as an MP in the newly formed Federal Parliament. During his time as premier, Ali is credited with having devised the formal "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process that provided clear benchmarks leading toward the establishment of permanent democratic institutions in the country. On 8 January 2014, he was elected the 5th President of the Puntland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2014 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2014 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. The third such vote to be held in the state since its formation in 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on 4 January 2014 by the 66-seat regional legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of former prime minister of Somalia Abdiweli Gaas as the fifth president of Puntland, narrowly defeating the incumbent Abdirahman Farole. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar as Puntland's new vice president in place of Abdisamad Ali Shire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar</span> Former vice president of Puntland, Somalia

Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar, also known as Abdihakin Abdullahi Omar Amey, is a Somali politician. He was also the Vice President of Puntland from 2014 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Said Abdullahi Deni</span> President of Puntland since 2019

Said Abdullahi Deni (Somali: Siciid Cabdullaahi Deni, Arabic: سعيد عبدالله دني; born 1966 or 1967, also known as Said Deni, is the current president of Puntland. He was first elected on January 8, 2019. Five years later February 8, 2024 he was reelected

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–2022 Somali parliamentary election</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Puntland</span> Head of government and state of Puntland

The president of Puntland is the head of government and state of Puntland. The Presidency was elected by the House of Representatives of Puntland behind establishing the Puntland State in Somalia on August 1, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Puntland municipal elections</span>

The 2023 Puntland municipal elections took place on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the Puntland state of Somalia. The elections were the second time the autonomous region had held one-person, one-vote elections. "Puntland had achieved a significant historic victory, with 30 districts holding peaceful elections," Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Farah Juha said

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitutional crisis in Somalia</span> Somalia constitutional crisis (2023)

A constitutional crisis developed in Somalia when the Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, changed the Constitution of Somalia on April 30, 2024. The change was strongly opposed by the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, and as a direct result, Puntland withdrew its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia and declared itself an independent state based on Article 4 of the Puntland Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2019 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2019 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state of Somalia. The fourth such vote to be held in the state since its establishment 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on January 04, 2019 by the 66-seat bicameral legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of former somali minister of planning Said Abdullahi Deni as the sixth president of Puntland, narrowly defeating General Asad Osman Abdullahi. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Ahmed Elmi Osman as Puntland's new vice president in place of Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2005 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2005 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state of Somalia. The first such vote to be held in the state since its establishment 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on January 04, 2005 by the 66-seat unicameral legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of Military leader General Adde Muse as the third president of Puntland, narrowly defeating Mohamed Abdi Hashi. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Hassan Dahir Afqurac as Puntland's new vice president in place of Mohamed Ali Yusuf.

References

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  2. Hassan, Abdiqani (21 June 2023). "Armed factions in Somalia's Puntland agree ceasefire after deadly clashes". Reuters .
  3. Hassan, Abdiqani (20 June 2023). "36 dead in violence in Somalia's Puntland and Lower Shabelle regions". Reuters .
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