Tuesday May 31, 2022
Puntland President Said Deni is greeted at Garowe International Airport by senior Puntland leaders, including his Vice-President Ahmed Karash
Garowe (HOL) - Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni returned to Garowe on Tuesday after being absent from the regional capital for over a month as he campaigned for the national presidency.
Awaiting Deni in Puntland is a political standoff against his Vice President, Ahmed Karash, who assumed the role of the acting president just days after Deni arrived on the campaign trail in Mogadishu six weeks ago.
At the time, Karash said during a weekly cabinet meeting that Deni could not fulfill his duties as Puntland President while campaigning for Somalia's top seat.
Deni immediately rebuffed his deputy, declaring that "any decree issued by the Vice President while I am away from Puntland shall not apply."
In early May, Puntland Vice President Ahmed Elmi Osman Karaash replaced three influential top ministers who were close allies of Said Deni in a major reshuffle amid the growing political standoff. However, the changes have not yet been implemented.
According to reports, differences between Deni and his deputy have been resolved amicably, and relations are returning to normalcy.
Karash was among the senior Puntland politicians who travelled to Garowe's airport to welcome Said Deni following his loss in the presidential elections. Despite a strong initial showing in the first round, Deni finished third in the race, dropping out before the final round of voting between fellow challenger Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and incumbent Mohamud Abdullahi Farmajo.