Troops Under President Deni Take Over Puntland Parliament Amid Electoral Tensions

Troops under the command of President Deni have taken control of the Puntland parliamentary headquarters in Garowe. The move occurred with reports of yet to be completed an ongoing parliamentary meetings, with the presence of marines and military vehicles signaling a significant development in the region.

The decision to secure the parliamentary building is believed to be linked to the anticipated transfer of duties to the controversial committee responsible for resolving disputes and approving members of parliament. Reports suggest that the committee was slated to relocate to the parliament headquarters for its operations.

The Speaker of the Puntland Parliament, Abdirashid Yusuf Jabril, and members of parliament have been advocating for a one-year extension period, which they successfully passed. However, this extension was nullified by the constitutional court, leading to heightened tensions.

As news of the takeover spreads, it is expected that the Speaker and opposition members will accuse President Deni of seizing the parliament headquarters while MPs were engaged in crucial tasks, including the approval of the budget. The incident raises concerns about potential delays in the upcoming election, just days away, as electoral disputes loom large over the political landscape in Puntland.