Galkayo, Somalia – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has been accused of obstructing key infrastructure and development projects in Somalia’s central Mudug region, a senior adviser to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
Ahmed Cilal, presidential adviser on democracy, told Shabelle TV that Mudug is a strategically vital region but has suffered under what he described as President Deni’s “deliberate blockade” of federal government development efforts.
“Projects such as the construction of an international airport and the development of the Garacad port have been halted or blocked,” Cilal said. “These were federally backed initiatives aimed at expanding access to services and boosting the region’s economy.”
He also alleged that Deni obstructed financial flows from Puntland that were intended to support key infrastructure improvements in Mudug.
President Deni, who is serving his second term as Puntland’s leader, is facing growing opposition from political figures across the region who have criticized his leadership style and accused him of sidelining federal cooperation.
There was no immediate response from Puntland authorities to the allegations.
