Ministers

1. Abdirashid Barkhadle Warsame – Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs
2. Abdi Hirsi Ali Qarjab – Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization
3. Mohamed Abdirahman Faroole – Minister of Health
4. Barre Yusuf Fatah – Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation
5. Abdifatah Ugas Yasin – Minister of Civil Aviation and Airports
6. Hodon Said Hassan – Minister of Women and Family Affairs
7. Farhan Ali Hirsi – Minister of Information and Communications
8. Said Ali Jama Qorsheel – Minister of Livestock and Pastoral Development
9. Aydarus Ahmed Farah – Minister of Environment and Climate Change
10. Mohamed Abdulqadir Donyale – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources
11. Abdinasir Yusuf Haji Hirsi – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs
12. Omar Abdusamad Yusuf Dhuux – Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
13. Mahmoud Aideed Dirir – Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism

Deputy Ministers

1. Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Qaxiye – Deputy Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs
2. Abdirizak Ali Mahmoud – Deputy Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization
3. Abdirahman Yusuf Farah – Deputy Minister of Security and DDR
4. Ahmed Yasin Salah – Deputy Minister of Finance
5. Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim – Deputy Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation
6. Musadaq Mohamed Musadaq – Deputy Minister of Education
7. Maryan Osman Ahmed (Fangase) – Deputy Minister of Health
8. Eng. Mohamed Ali Ismail – Deputy Minister of Ports
9. Bille Mahmoud Ahmed Qabowsade – Deputy Minister of Information and Communications
10. Abdirashid Abdiraq Abdi – Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources
11. Hassan Jama Ismail – Deputy Minister of Livestock and Pastoral Development
12. Abdirahman Khalif Farah – Deputy Minister of Energy, Minerals and Water
13. Mohamed Said Salah – Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change
14. Ahmed Said Qolombi – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
15. Riyad Ahmed Ali – Deputy Minister of Humanitarian Affairs
16. Mahmoud Mohamed Daad – Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism
17. Ahmed Mohamed Bulxan – Deputy Minister of Finance

State Ministers

1. Abdifatah Mohamed Abdinur – State Minister at the Presidency for Regional Affairs and Federalization
2. Farah Mahmoud Aw-Osman – State Minister at the Presidency for Diaspora Affairs and Resettlement
3. Abdirahman Mahmoud Osman – State Minister for Public Works, Transport and Housing
4. Mohamed Mahmoud Osman (Arbac) – State Minister of Finance
5. Mohamed Jama Abdirahman – State Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation
6. Ali Mohamed Osman – State Minister of Health
7. Eng. Mohamed Issa Lacle – State Minister of Civil Aviation and Airports
8. Abdiqani Ahmed Ismail (Deero-dile) – State Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources
9. Mohamed Abdikafi Mohamed – State Minister of Livestock and Pastoral Development
10. Said Mohamed Aware – State Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
11. Amb. Mohamed Ahmed Cawil – State Minister of Energy, Minerals and Water
12. Najiib Barkhad Warsame – State Minister of Information and Communications
13. Mukhtar Ahmed Odey – State Minister of Environment and Climate Change
14. Ahmed Ibrahim Cawaale (Biid) – State Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment

The post Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni Announces Major Cabinet Reshuffle in New Decree appeared first on Kaab TV.

Speaking at a gathering in Mogadishu on Saturday night that brought together members of the Banadir community — including politicians, traditional elders, women, and youth — Deni said the revised constitution “will not be a constitution for anybody.”

He questioned whether it was intended to serve only President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe.

Deni, who is positioning himself as a potential contender for Villa Somalia in the 2026 presidential election, accused the federal leadership of undermining consensus on key constitutional and electoral matters.

He also called on the regional administrations of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and South West State to expedite their elections, noting that their mandates expired some time ago.

“The responsibility lies with the leaders of those regional states that have not yet held elections. Although their terms have ended, they remain in office because there is no vacuum. They should organize elections,” Deni said.

President Deni warned that Somalia risks instability and potential fragmentation if the current political stalemate continues and federal elections are not held on time.

Deni further condemned forced evictions in Mogadishu and alleged land-grabbing schemes, accusing the president and his allies of benefiting from land seizures and auctions over the past four years.

“Why are they displacing people? Are these not our own citizens?” he asked, raising concerns over the management of funds generated from land sales.

The Puntland leader also criticized the state of infrastructure in Mogadishu, saying he had recently observed roads that remain unbuilt despite what he described as significant revenues collected through land auctions linked to eviction campaigns.

The post Deni Rejects Constitutional Changes by Hassan Sheikh, Warns of Political Crisis in Somalia appeared first on Kaab TV.

Sources close to the Puntland presidency have confirmed that nine prisoners currently held in Puntland prisons, who were captured from Somaliland, will be transferred from Garowe tomorrow.

In return, Somaliland is set to release 11 prisoners originally from Puntland.

This marks the first such agreement aimed at normalizing relations between the two neighboring regions, which have long been at odds.

Puntland and Somaliland have been in dispute over the Sool and Sanaag regions. However, in 2023, following a major conflict in Las Anod, a new administration called SSC-Khaatumo was established.

Somaliland considers itself an independent state, while Puntland is a federal member state of Somalia.

Sources in Hargeisa indicate that this prisoner release reflects a new thaw in relations between Hargeisa and Garowe.

During the Las Anod conflict, Puntland supported the local population with troops, weapons, and finances, which contributed to Somaliland’s defeat in the August 2023 battle.

However, relations between Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo have recently soured, particularly after SSC-Khaatumo aligned itself with the Federal Government of Somalia — a government that Puntland currently has strained ties and deep disagreements with.

The post Puntland and Somaliland Set to Exchange Prisoners in Landmark Agreement appeared first on Kaab TV.

Puntland forces have been battling ISIS militants entrenched in the Cal Miskaad mountains since December 2024.

The counter-terror operation dubbed as “Hillaac” is now in its third phase.

During a meeting held in Bosaso, chaired by President Deni, discussions focused on accelerating the completion of the ongoing operation.

In a press statement issued by the government, it was noted that the meeting was attended by security officials and various levels of government authorities involved in the operation.

President Deni encouraged continued action to bring the operation to a successful close.

Key decisions announced at the meeting include:

Security forces were instructed to take firm action against illegal arms, unlicensed vehicles, and individuals involved in such activities.

Authorities at district, regional, and security levels were again reminded to crack down on the illegal entry of undocumented foreigners into Puntland, as well as to combat human smuggling operations.

Until further notice, the movement of passenger and cargo boats along the coastal areas of the operational zone has been banned, unless specific authorization is granted.

The movement of food supplies and aid into the operation areas has also been suspended unless prior approval is obtained and the origin and destination are clearly known.

The meeting also praised the people of Puntland, both inside the country and abroad, for their unwavering support of the Puntland forces engaged in the operation.

Locals were urged to continue their strong backing until the mission is fully achieved.

The post Puntland Imposes Ban on Illegal Arms, Boats, and Supplies in Anti-ISIS Operation appeared first on Kaab TV.

In an official statement issued by the Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf Hosh, the federal government described Puntland’s move to issue its own identification card as both unlawful and politically irresponsible.

“The action taken by the President of Puntland to create another identity that undermines the national identity is both a legal mistake and a leadership mistake. It directly violates the country’s governance system,” the statement read.

This development follows Puntland’s official launch of a separate ID card system last week, under a new presidential decree issued by President Said Abdullahi Deni.

The move has sparked fresh tensions between the federal and Puntland administrations amid ongoing debates over decentralization, autonomy, and the future of Somalia’s federal model.

Somalia Federal Government Opposes New #Puntland ID Card, Citing National Identity Concerns#Mogadishu – The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly opposed the newly introduced Puntland ID card, arguing that it undermines the national identity and violates the country’s… pic.twitter.com/Q0oEAgYdx2

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) April 21, 2025

The post Somalia Federal Government Opposes New Puntland ID Card, Citing National Identity Concerns appeared first on Kaab TV.

The Chinese embassy in Somalia announced the release on the same day but provided no details about how it was achieved.

Kaab TV conducted an in-depth investigation, uncovering critical details about the hijacking and subsequent release of the vessel and its crew.

The gunmen had taken control of the trawler in late November 2024, seizing it near Xaafuun, off Somalia’s northeastern coast.

Puntland officials revealed to Kaab TV that the hijackers included three of the vessel’s own security guards.

The ship, which was registered in Puntland, had expired documentation at the time of its capture.

Registration documents obtained by Kaab TV indicate that the LIAO DONG YU 578 was licensed by the Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in September 2020, but the license expired in September 2024.

The hijackers initially demanded a $10 million ransom from the Chinese company that owned the vessel.

Speaking to Kaab TV, one of the hijackers, a local fisherman from Eyl identified only as Hassan, explained their motives.

He accused Chinese vessels of overfishing and threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen, stating that the captured vessel and others like it encroach on Somali waters, often with expired or no valid licenses.

“These Chinese vessels, many of them operating illegally, come and steal our fish,” Hassan told Kaab TV.

He also mentioned that the LIAO DONG YU 578 was just 30 miles from the coast when it was seized, significantly affecting the fish stocks relied upon by Eyl’s predominantly fishing-dependent community.

Before the hijacking, Somali fishermen in Raas Caseyr had protested and urged the Puntland government to address the presence of illegal foreign fishing vessels, particularly those from Asia, including China.

“Nobody listened to these calls,” Hassan said, justifying the hijacking of the LIAO DONG YU 578.

The trawler, which had a capacity of 257 tons, was allowed to catch “all fish” under its expired registration, according to the documents Kaab TV reviewed.

Further investigation revealed that the vessel was also registered with the China Overseas Fishing Association in Dandong.

Negotiations for the release

Negotiations for the release of the vessel were mediated by clan elders and the Puntland government, with the direct involvement of Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu.

On January 9, 2024, the ambassador traveled to Bosaso, Puntland’s main port city, where he met with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.

The Chinese embassy later posted about the meeting on its X (formerly Twitter) account.

According to Puntland government sources, Ambassador Wang Yu delivered the ransom payment in cash, amounting to $2 million, which was handed over to the hijackers through clan elders.

The negotiations ensured the safe release of the crew and the vessel.

Clan elder Yasin, who participated in the discussions, confirmed that the hijackers agreed to release the vessel and its crew peacefully in exchange for the government promising not to pursue them after the ransom was paid.

“The government accepted not to pursue any case after the ransom payment, and the hijackers ensured that all Chinese crew were safe during their abduction,” Yasin told Kaab TV.

Despite the ransom payment, the Chinese embassy condemned the hijacking in its January 13 statement, calling it a “vicious action” that threatened the safety of the crew and international navigation security.

However, the statement made no mention of the ransom payment.

The LIAO DONG YU 578 has since left Somali waters, but the broader issue of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing remains unresolved.

Chinese fishing fleets operating without proper licenses continue to be a major concern for Somali coastal communities.

With one of Africa’s longest coastlines (approximately 3,300 kilometers) and rich marine resources, including tuna, lobster, and other valuable species, Somalia is a hotspot for exploitation by foreign fishing fleets.

Questionable fishing agreements between Chinese companies and Somali authorities, particularly in Mogadishu, Puntland, Galmudug, and Jubbaland, often lack transparency and are criticized as exploitative.

The rise of Somali piracy in the early 2000s was partly fueled by illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping by foreign entities.

While some Somali pirates initially framed their actions as protecting national waters, this narrative evolved over time.

The post China Paid $2M Ransom to Free Fishing Trawler Hijacked by Somali Security Guards in Puntland appeared first on Kaab TV.

Poised to be the largest medical facility in Puntland, the hospital marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare infrastructure in the region.

During the ceremony, President Deni emphasized that the state-of-the-art hospital would address long-standing healthcare challenges and reduce reliance on overseas medical treatments.

“This facility will provide high-quality healthcare services locally, making it a transformative addition to Puntland,” he stated.

The president also highlighted the Puntland government’s dedication to fostering investment in the region and expressed gratitude to Dr. Darman Aden, MD, FACP, of the IHS Health Care System, for his leadership in bringing this ambitious project to fruition.

Puntland Minister of Health, Said Jama Qoorsheel, praised the initiative, noting its importance for both the public and the armed forces.

Minister Qoorsheel assured that once completed, the hospital would eliminate the necessity for residents to travel abroad for medical care, a common practice in the past.

Speaking at the event, the minister also emphasized that the project aligns with the ministry’s strategic vision, which includes establishing additional advanced healthcare facilities and specialized hospitals for the military.

The foundation stone ceremony brought together prominent figures, including senior Puntland government officials, representatives from the Nugal regional administration, Garowe’s municipal leaders, presidential advisors, and community representatives, as well as a delegation from IHS.

Following the event, President Deni returned to Bosaso, the capital of Bari region, where intensified efforts are underway to advance Puntland’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign.

The post Puntland Lays Foundation Stone for Largest Modern Hospital Project appeared first on Kaab TV.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among the public. Some residents have embraced the idea enthusiastically, even giving the proposed currency a name—the “Puntland Shilling.”

“It’s a big day for me. I am happy that the Puntland president announced the creation of a Puntland currency,” said Halima, an elderly woman in Garowe.

Others, like Mohamed, a university student, expressed skepticism about the practicality of introducing a regional currency without the involvement of the Somali Federal Government.

Concerns over inflation were also raised by some residents. Ali, a local businessman, warned against potential economic instability, recalling past incidents when counterfeit currency flooded the market, leading to painful inflation.

The Somali Federal Government has not yet commented on the announcement.

On Saturday, President Deni revealed the plan during an event organized by the Puntland Central Bank in Bosaso. “Puntland has been waiting a long time for a unified Somali shilling, but that has not been achieved. Therefore, Puntland has decided to create its own currency,” Deni declared.

He added that the new currency, expected to be introduced in 2025, would coexist with the Somali shilling. He emphasized that the move is not intended as a step toward secession but is aligned with the federal system.

“This decision is about Puntland making independent choices within the framework of federalism until Somalia establishes a comprehensive governance system,” Deni stated.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in Mogadishu. Puntland has frequently accused Mogadishu of sidelining federal states in decision-making processes and failing to uphold the federal principles outlined in Somalia’s provisional constitution.

These disputes have intensified over issues such as resource sharing, international aid distribution, and electoral management.

President Deni has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as Mogadishu’s centralization of power, which he argues undermines the autonomy of federal member states. Conversely, the federal government has accused Puntland of unilateral actions that challenge national unity.

The post Reactions in Puntland to the Announcement of a New Regional Currency appeared first on Kaab TV.

A Threatening Encounter

For example, the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdirashid Yusuf Jabril, is said to have had a conversation with a few individuals who oppose the government’s plan of amending the constitution. According to the government’s schedule, the topic of reconsidering changing the constitution was due to occur four days after  the day when Abdirashid had a discussion with those individuals. He talked with them on Monday night, and the scheduled day for that topic was the following Thursday.

The individuals were said to have told the Speaker that if he attempted to take a vote of the parliamentarians on amending the constitution on Thursday, the Speaker would have a problem. The Speaker did not like those words and saw the statement as a threat. He responded that no one can threaten him, and as a matter of fact, he would bring that topic to the parliament the next day to see what those individuals can do.

Tragic Outcome

On Tuesday morning, the seemingly angry Speaker showed up in the parliament and informed the parliamentarians that the topic for the day would be reconsidering changing the constitution. One of the parliamentarians, whose talk was circulated on social media the following day, warned the Speaker that it was not appropriate to discuss that topic on Tuesday when it was scheduled for Thursday. At the time, the parliamentarian did not know what had taken place the night before between the Speaker and those individuals.

The amendment to the constitution was voted on, and fighting erupted in front of the parliament, where more than 30 mostly innocent civilians died due to personal grievances between the Speaker and a few people. The President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, has not yet spoken about that incident.

President Deni’s Intentions Unveiled

President Deni has sought to change the constitution so he can remain in power. He took advantage of the people who did not sense his intentions early on, and he made it seem like he was following the constitution. First, President Deni accused anyone who opposed the way he was managing the process of democratization of being individuals who wanted to maintain the old system and who were probably financed by the federal government of Somalia, with which the president had severed the relationship.

President Deni and his team argued, in the beginning of his campaign of democratization, that in the new system, the only stakeholders with whom the president needed to deal with were those who were members of the nine associations competing to be the first three associations to become the permanent parties of Puntland for the next ten years, as stated in the Puntland constitution.

The president and his team stated that if those individuals wanted to be part of the process, they should join one of the nine recognized associations. The aim was to show Puntlanders that the government was ready to negotiate and compromise with those who were the new stakeholders of the new system, mainly political parties. Many Puntlanders agreed with the president’s argument, but those who knew President Deni knew otherwise.

Within a few months, it became clear that the president was not telling the truth, and that the government was not ready to discuss the process of the election, let alone consider a compromise. In mid-March, two of the associations, Horseed and the Youth Party, sensed that the government was tilting the playing field to ensure its reelection. The government did not have time to consider the concerns of those two parties because the election was scheduled to take place on May 25, 2023, and it moved forward with its plan.

Again, the government team accused those two parties of being the ones whose leaders thought that this was their time to lead Puntland and the government claimed that they wanted to maintain the old system. Again, Puntlanders believed the version offered by the government team and still supported the government, thinking that the government and the last seven associations were united in the new process, and that no one else needed to sit down with the government to discuss the process of the election.

A Bleak Future?

The next few events that took place showed the real intention of President Deni, which was to either request an extension or to reelect himself under a system that had not been not agreed upon, thus undermining the legitimacy of his power after January 8, 2024. President Deni and his team changed the constitution of Puntland to what they thought would serve their interests. Both the Mideye and Sincad parties which were the first and second leading parties in the local election opposed the constitutional amendment, believing that the change could not affect the election that had already taken place, and that they were the winning parties.

The president and his team realized that it would be hard for them to accuse any wrong doing with these two parties and instead ignored the calls of these two parties and tried to focus attention on the idea that the traditional leaders had no place in the new democratization system. The question is, when will the Puntlanders realize that the system that only President Deni is dictating would not produce a government with a mandate for the next five years? And that everyone else, including political parties, traditional leaders, and other politicians, would have no say in the process of the new election proposed by the government?

A Call for Consensus

How long would President Deni be able to hide his agenda by accusing others of wanting the old system while he is trying to dictate the new process? Puntland has been successful for the last 24 years because there was a constitution agreed upon by all stakeholders. If a new system, which is much better than the old system, is to be moved to, then the new system should also be something that is agreed upon by all stakeholders.

Many Puntlanders still support President Deni, and all he would need is to call a meeting where all stakeholders attend to discuss the process of moving forward. Once a system is agreed upon by all stakeholders, the winner of that system, whether it is President Deni or anyone else, would have a legitimate mandate for the next term.

However, because it is clear now that the president will not stop for anyone having a say in the process of the election, and because more and more Puntlanders are seeing President Deni’s true colors, the only possible option forward is for the constitution court to rule the amendment of the constitution void and ask the government to return to the old system that was agreed upon, or to implement a new system that is agreed upon by most of the stakeholders, in which every  candidate has an opportunity to win or lose.

_
Mohamed Abdiqafar Haji Hussein is an independent analyst based in Atlanta, Georgia. Email: mohabdhus@gmail.com

The post President Deni’s Hidden Agenda Unveiled: Undermining Democracy in Puntland appeared first on Kaab TV.