Somalia’s Puntland leader splits counter-terror force, reinstates mutinous commander

Somalia’s Puntland leader splits counter-terror force, reinstates mutinous commander

GAROWE (Somaliguardian) – The leader of Somalia’s northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland on Thursday reinstated the commander of mutinous counter-terrorism force following a deal brokered by regional elders aimed at ending months-long standoff in the commercial port city of Bosaso.

In a decree issued later on Friday night, Puntland leader Saeed Deni said Puntland Security Force (PSF) had been split into security departments under two seperate commanders who will report directly to the regional presidency in the town of Garowe.

The reinstated commander of PSF Mohamud Osman Diyano will head Puntland Security Commando Forces while Amin Haji Khayr had been appointed as the commander of Puntland Intelligence Special Forces. Both men had been leading rival forces who had battled in Bosaso in December last year.

The move is expected to end months-long impasse in the region’s commercial port city where authorities intend to begin parliamentary elections for 16 seats.

On Thursday reports emerged of a key highway leading to the port city closed by troops loyal to the Somalia’s Minister of Planning Jamal Mohamed Hassan, an ally of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who had earlier warned of a potential fraud in elections scheduled to be held in Bosaso.

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