Puntland police boss axed after meeting FIET chief as Deni goes for suspected political ‘enemies’

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: Barely few hours after meeting with the federal elections chief Mohamed Irro for a brief on security preparations for elections, Puntland police commandant Abdi Hussein was relieved of his duties amid alleged discomfort by President Abdullahi Deni of Hussein’s collaboration with the Federal Government.

Hussein, popularly known as Abdi Yare faced the axed Monday evening following a decree by Deni. According to the state presidency, the changes which were made in consultation with deputy president Ahmed Karaash were aimed at bolstering security in the state.

However, sources said suspicions had built at Deni’s camp following visits by Abdi Yare to Mogadishu. The immediate former police had  just met with the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET) chairman Mohamed Irro who has been in Puntland since the onset of the district council elections where he was an observer.

Abdi Yare was also the head of the Puntland Elections Security Committee in accordance with the elections security framework released in September by the office of the Prime Minister.

The sacking of Yare also happened almost the same time police in Garowe stopped a public forum where Irro was to be the keynote speaker.

The forum organised by Madasha Daljir Media was expected to take stock of recent district elections and preparations for the Lower House elections.

Deni who is reportedly eying the presidency in the upcoming elections has had frosty relations with the Federal Government for a long time and even banned the National Independent Elections Commission (NIEC) from operation the state.