GALKAYO — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has announced that he will not seek a third term in office when his current mandate ends in January 2029, confirming that his Kaah political party will field a new candidate for the next regional presidential election.
Speaking to hundreds of young people and women in Galkayo, Deni addressed recent political speculation surrounding his intentions, stating that Puntland’s constitution allows a president to serve a maximum of two terms and that he has already been elected twice. “The constitution allowed me to be the president of Puntland twice, and I was elected twice. I have two and a half years left,” Deni said.
“Let the person who wants the position come forward. Free elections are held on time, and our party will have a candidate and we will build it,” he added. The president’s remarks indicate that Kaah will prepare a candidate for the 2029 presidential election, although he did not name a potential successor.
Deni’s announcement comes amid intense debate over Puntland’s constitutional reforms, particularly concerning Article 79, which limits the president to two consecutive terms. The Puntland parliament recently approved a package of constitutional amendments but left Article 79 untouched, effectively leaving the existing presidential tenure provisions intact.
Political Context and Succession
Deni first took office as Puntland’s president on January 8, 2019, and was re-elected for a second term on January 8, 2024. His current term is therefore his second and final one under the constitution.
The president’s comments remove uncertainty over whether he would seek to extend his tenure and shifts attention towards the political succession within Puntland and the candidate Kaah will put forward. The announcement is likely to intensify speculation over who could receive the Kaah party’s endorsement to succeed him.
Deni’s decision could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2029 election, as political groups begin positioning themselves for a contest that is expected to attract significant interest across Puntland. The announcement also comes amid ongoing political and security tensions, including a recent confrontation between the regional administration and forces aligned with Somalia’s federal government.
The Puntland government has been pursuing a shift toward direct popular elections for the 2029 polls, marking a significant change from the indirect electoral system that has long been used in the administration.
Critical Note
President Deni’s announcement that he will not seek a third term appears to put to rest one of the most contentious issues in Puntland politics. Opposition figures had previously expressed concern over any attempt to extend presidential tenure or circumvent the constitutional two-term limit, and the deferral of Article 79 during recent constitutional reforms had left the question unresolved.
However, the timing and context of this announcement raise questions about its political motivations. Deni is currently under significant pressure from multiple fronts. Opposition politicians have accused his administration of repression and of targeting dissenting voices through unlawful detentions and smear campaigns. The Puntland Opposition Union has warned that Deni’s actions could spark renewed violence in the region.
At the same time, the Federal Government has been recruiting soldiers from Puntland and paying their salaries, a move Deni has described as an attempt to undermine Puntland’s stability. The Puntland administration has seized multiple military bases from federal-aligned forces in recent days, raising concerns about a broader confrontation between Garowe and Mogadishu.
In this context, Deni’s decision to rule out a third term could be a strategic attempt to consolidate support and mitigate political pressure, both from domestic opponents and the Federal Government. By positioning himself as a defender of constitutional limits, Deni may be seeking to strengthen his political standing and ensure a smooth transition that preserves his influence within Puntland’s political landscape and compete for the President Position in the upcoming FGS election. The true test of his commitment to democratic succession will come as the 2029 election approaches, and whether the Kaah party’s candidate selection process is genuinely inclusive and transparent.
