GAROWE, Somalia – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni broke the silence about the escalating electoral rift in the Federal State which is on the brink of turning into conflict.
President Deni said that he is not ready to sit down with the opposition candidates at the negotiation table to discuss a peaceful, transparent, and fair election in Puntland next year.
Speaking at an event on Friday, Deni also said he pardoned Gen. Jimale, the commander of the Danab army, whose soldiers clashed with Puntland troops in Garowe in June this year.
“My government grants amnesty to General Jimale and his soldiers. I am also calling on the opposition to engage with us in a constructive dialogue,” President Deni said.
Meanwhile, Deni insisted that he would not negotiate on the planned one-person, one-vote election, which the opposition rejected and called for the clan-based electoral system.
President Deni’s statement comes amid pressure from the international community on his administration to find a solution for the current stiff stalemate over the elections model.
More than 20 people were killed and many fled from their houses in heavy fighting that erupted in June immediately after the Puntland parliament voted for a one-man-one-vote election with multiple political parties.
The clashes in Garowe between pro-opposition forces and the government soldiers raised questions over Deni’s ability to implement his government agenda for a popular election.
