Thursday September 23, 2021
Garowe, Puntland (HOL) - Puntland security forces, reportedly under instructions from State President Abdullahi Deni, barred a delegation to receive Federal Planning Minister Jamal Hassan at Garowe Airport Thursday morning.
The minister who was on his way to his constituency in Dhahar, Sanaag region, arrived without the welcoming party after his team on the ground was blocked from accessing the airport, sources at the airport said.
After he left the airport, sources said, a confrontation arose between his security team from Dhahar and Puntland forces. The team from Dhahar had come to pick him.
The government forces had reportedly attempted to bar him from leaving for Dhahar, but he finally managed to leave.
Jamal, a close ally of President Mohamed Farmaajo, does not see eye to eye with Deni, whom sources said has attempted to derail his re-election.
Jamal will be seeking to be re-elected by his sub-clan in Dhahar in the upcoming Lower House elections.