Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is expected to arrive in the coastal settlement of Dhinowda in southern Mudug today, as his tour of eastern Mudug enters its fourth day.

The president spent Monday night in Towfiiq district, where he received a warm welcome from local residents and officials.

The visit to Towfiiq and Dhinowda is focused on assessing environmental challenges and advancing reconciliation efforts between the Sheekhaal and Surre communities, whose recurring clan clashes have claimed lives and displaced residents in recent years.

Deni has been meeting elders, community leaders, and local residents to promote peace and coexistence.

The Puntland leader is also expected to inspect the severe sand encroachment affecting Dhinowda, where large sand dunes have swallowed parts of the settlement and surrounding areas.

Puntland authorities have previously announced plans to seek a long-term solution to the advancing sand belt stretching from Dhinowda to the strategic port city of Garacad.

However, the visit has drawn criticism from some Somali federal lawmakers and officials from the Galmudug administration, who argue that Dhinowda falls within territory claimed by Galmudug.

Critics contend that the president’s visit could deepen political tensions and fuel disputes over administrative boundaries in Mudug.

The disagreement highlights the long-standing territorial and political sensitivities in Mudug, a region divided between Puntland and Galmudug, where competing claims over certain communities and settlements have periodically strained relations between the two administrations.

Despite the criticism, Puntland officials maintain that the visit is aimed at peacebuilding, environmental assessment, and engaging with local communities.