Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has departed for the United Arab Emirates on an unannounced visit amid growing political tensions in Somalia and increasing disagreements between the federal government and opposition leaders over the country’s political future.
President Deni left Garowe on Saturday afternoon aboard a flight that is expected to transit through Addis Ababa before continuing to the UAE. Puntland authorities have not publicly disclosed the duration of the trip or the full details of the president’s agenda.
However, sources familiar with the visit said the trip is linked to political consultations and discussions concerning Somalia’s worsening political crisis, the country’s transitional process, and the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition groups over constitutional amendments, elections, and power-sharing arrangements.
The visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment as political tensions continue to rise in Mogadishu. Opposition politicians and several federal member states have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of pushing unilateral political changes without broad national consensus, while the federal government insists its reforms are necessary to stabilize the country and complete the state-building process.
President Deni has become one of the most vocal regional leaders critical of the federal government’s current political direction. Puntland has repeatedly expressed concerns over constitutional amendments proposed by Mogadishu, particularly changes related to elections, governance structures, and the balance of power between the central government and federal member states.
Relations between Puntland and the federal government have remained strained in recent years, with disputes emerging over security coordination, resource sharing, electoral frameworks, and constitutional reforms. Puntland authorities have at times accused Mogadishu of attempting to weaken the federal system and centralize authority.
Political observers say Deni’s visit to the UAE may involve consultations with regional and international partners regarding Somalia’s political crisis, possible mediation efforts, and the role of federal member states in upcoming national political negotiations.
The UAE has long maintained strong political, economic, and security ties with Puntland and other Somali regional administrations. Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in infrastructure, port development, trade, and security cooperation in Somalia, particularly through partnerships with Puntland authorities.
The Gulf nation is also viewed as an influential regional actor in Horn of Africa politics, often playing a behind-the-scenes role in mediation efforts and political discussions involving Somali leaders.
President Deni has made several similar trips to the UAE in the past, some lasting weeks and involving meetings with Emirati officials, business leaders, and Somali political figures. Many of those visits generated speculation about regional diplomatic efforts and political coordination concerning Somalia’s future.
The latest trip also comes amid increasing international attention on Somalia’s internal political disputes, especially as opposition groups prepare for demonstrations against the federal government and political uncertainty continues to grow ahead of future electoral processes.
Analysts say Deni’s travel to the UAE highlights the increasingly regional dimension of Somalia’s political crisis, with neighboring countries and Gulf states closely monitoring developments and maintaining relationships with key Somali political actors.
Neither Puntland officials nor UAE authorities have yet released an official statement regarding the objectives or expected outcomes of the visit.