Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced that he will not seek a third term in office, saying the Puntland Constitution limits a president to two terms and that he intends to respect that provision.
Deni made the announcement during a speech in Galkayo, where he also indicated that the ruling Kaah political party would field its own candidate in the next election.
“The Constitution allowed me to lead Puntland for two terms, and I was elected for both of them. I still have two years remaining in office. Anyone who wants the position should come forward and compete in a free election held on time. Our party will have a candidate, and we will build that candidate,” Deni said.
The announcement effectively addresses speculation that Puntland’s constitutional framework could be reopened to allow Deni to seek a third term.
Opposition figures had previously expressed concern that changes to the constitutional system could potentially extend the president’s tenure or create a pathway for him to remain in office beyond the two-term limit.
Deni’s decision is significant for Puntland’s political landscape because it removes one of the major uncertainties surrounding the 2029 presidential election.
With the incumbent saying he will not be a candidate, potential contenders within Kaah and opposition parties have an opportunity to begin preparing for what could become a competitive succession race.
The president’s statement also signals that Deni intends to remain influential in Puntland politics even after leaving office.
By saying that Kaah will nominate a candidate, he has indicated that the ruling party is likely to seek to retain control of the administration through a successor rather than relying on his personal candidacy.
The question of who will receive Deni’s backing and ultimately emerge as Kaah’s presidential candidate is therefore expected to become a major issue in Puntland politics over the coming years.
Competition within the ruling party could intensify as senior officials and political figures position themselves for the nomination.
Deni, who has served as Puntland president since 2019 after winning the presidency through a parliamentary election, has faced political challenges involving opposition groups, federal-government relations, security issues and debates over Puntland’s electoral system.
His decision not to seek another term could help reduce some of the political uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of the administration.
At the same time, the credibility of the 2029 election will depend heavily on how the electoral process is managed. Key issues are likely to include the political-party system, electoral rules, the role of Puntland’s institutions and whether competing political groups are able to campaign freely.
Deni now has roughly two years remaining in his current term, giving his administration time to focus on its political and institutional legacy.
His record in office, including his handling of security, relations with Mogadishu, economic development and Puntland’s internal political disputes, is likely to shape how voters assess both him and the candidate backed by his administration.
The announcement could also encourage opposition parties and potential presidential candidates to accelerate their preparations.
New political alliances and rivalries are likely to emerge as Puntland moves closer to the 2029 election, potentially making the succession contest one of the most closely watched political developments in the region.
If Deni ultimately follows through on his pledge and leaves office at the end of his second term, his decision would mark an important moment in Puntland’s political history.
It would also allow the 2029 election to take place without a sitting president seeking to extend his tenure, potentially creating greater space for a competitive transfer of power.
For now, attention will increasingly turn to Kaah’s choice of presidential candidate, the emergence of opposition contenders and whether Puntland’s political actors can ensure that the next leadership contest is conducted peacefully, transparently and according to the territory’s electoral and constitutional framework.