2024 Puntland presidential election

Last updated

2024 Puntland presidential election
Flag of Puntland.svg
 20198 January 2024 (2024-01-08)2029 

66 MPs 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 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 House of Representatives 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

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">South West State of Somalia</span> Federal member state of Somalia

The South-West State of Somalia, 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">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,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puntland–Somaliland dispute</span> Territorial dispute in the Horn of Africa

The Puntland–Somaliland dispute is a territorial dispute over the provinces of Sool, Sanaag and the Buuhoodle district of Togdheer region 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

Buuhoodle, also known as Bohotle, is the largest city in the Togdheer region of Somalia. It serves as a significant border town for the movement of goods between Somalia and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The surrounding district is rich in livestock with growing agricultural activities.

<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">Garad Jama Garad Ali</span> Garaad of the Dhulbahante

Garad Jama Garad Ali is the 21st supreme traditional clan Sultan (Garaad) of the Dhulbahante. He has significant influence in Somalia's current politics, particularly in North Somalia.

<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 Puntland.

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. Former Vice President of Puntland.

<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 in January 8, 2019. Five years later February 8, 2024 he was reelected

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Somali presidential election</span> Presidential election in Somalia

Presidential elections were held in Somalia in 15 May 2022. The election was held indirectly and after the elections for the House of the People, which began on 1 November 2021 and ended on 13 April 2022.

The Battle of Tukaraq in 2018 saw the Somaliland National Army engage Puntland forces in Tukaraq, a town in the eastern Sool region, on the road between the regional capitals of Las Anod and Garowe. The ensuing heavy clashes resulted in Somaliland ousting the Puntland army from the town. The battle was significant as it was the first time both forces clashed directly.

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

In 2021, elections for the Federal Parliament and subsequently the President of Somalia were due to take place, following a national agreement to reschedule them from the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abshir Omar Huruse</span> Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs

Abshir Omar Jama (Huruse) (Somali: Abshir Cumar Jaamac (Huruuse), Arabic: أبشير عمر جمعة هرس) is a Somali politician who was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia from 2022 to 2023.

Events in the year 2023 in Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Las Anod conflict (2023–present)</span> 2023 armed conflict in the Horn of Africa

The Las Anod conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Somaliland National Army and the SSC-Khatumo forces of the Dhulbahante in Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region. Fighting erupted on February 6 after Somaliland security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests. On February 8, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, declared an intent to secede and reunite with the Federal Government of Somalia.

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">United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia</span> United Nations mission in Somalia

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is a special political mission of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Its primary purpose is to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in achieving peace, stability and reconciliation. It works closely with and supports the work of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and, since 2022, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

References

  1. Hassan, Abdiqani (7 December 2023). "Africa Parliament of Somalia's Puntland to choose state's leader on Jan. 8". Reuters .
  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 .
  4. 1 2 "Somalia's Envoy to Turkey Quits to Run for Office in Oil-Rich Puntland". Bloomberg.com. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  5. "Remarks by the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing, to the media, during her visit to Garowe, Puntland". UNSOM. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  6. ACLED, Communications (28 July 2023). "Somalia Situation Update: July 2023 | Political Crisis Deepens Amid Transition to Direct Elections". ACLED. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. "UN Special Representative discusses political and security developments in Puntland | Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs". dppa.un.org. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  8. "UN Special Representative discusses political and security developments in Puntland | Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs". dppa.un.org. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. "UN Special Representative discusses political and security developments in Puntland - Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  10. Somalia, F. T. L. (6 December 2023). "SSC-Khatumo Elders Support Holding Puntland Elections on January 8, 2024 - Somali News today Live". FTL Somalia. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  11. "Puntland Decides: Challenges and dynamics of Puntland State presidential election". hornobserver.com. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  12. "Somalia: SSC-Khatumo will not be part of Puntland, elders say". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 "Oil-Rich Puntland Region of Somalia Elects Leader Amid Tensions". Bloomberg.com. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  14. "Somalia's Foreign Affairs minister resigns". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  15. "Guled Salah: The Hustler of Puntland Gains Overwhelming Support as He Aims for Presidency". FOX 2. EIN Presswire. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  16. 1 2 "Deni oo mar kale loo doortay madaxweynaha Puntland". www.voasomali.com. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  17. https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/puntland/siciid-deni-oo-markale-loo-doortay-madaxweynaha-puntland