Said Abdullahi Mohamed Deni (Somali: Siciid Cabdullaahi Maxamed Deni, Arabic: سعيد عبدالله محمد دني; born 2 July 1967),[1] also known as Said Deni,[2][3] is the current and 6th president of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state of Somalia. He was first elected on 8 January 2019 and served as a president for 5 years. He was re-elected for a second term on 8 January 2024.[4][5]
In March 2014, Mohamed and a Somali government delegation including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdirahman Duale Beyle and Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction Nadifo Mohamed Osman made a four-day visit to Tokyo, where they met with Ambassador Tatsushi Terada and other senior Japanese government officials. President Mohamud and his delegation also conferred with Prime MinisterShinzo Abe to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, as well as capacity training for Somali livestock and agricultural development professionals.[7] The visit concluded with an announcement by Japanese Prime Minister Abe that his administration would put forth a $40 million funding package for the rehabilitation of Somalia's police forces, relief services, and job creation opportunities. Mohamud commended the Japanese government for intensifying its bilateral support, and suggested that the development initiatives would be centered on vocational training for youth and women, maritime and fisheries training, fisheries and agricultural infrastructure development, and communication and information technology support.[8]
Population census
In September 2014, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation published a preliminary population census for Somalia. It is the first such governmental initiative in over two decades. The UNFPA assisted the Ministry in the project, which is slated to be finalized ahead of the planned plebiscite and local and national elections in 2016. According to Minister of Planning Said Deni and Deputy Prime Minister Ridwan Hirsi Mohamed, the census will facilitate the implementation of Vision 2016 and general development projects in the country. The Ministry of Planning also indicated that the preliminary census data suggests that there are around 12,360,000 residents in the nation, and that it plans to conduct a census of Somali expatriates.[9]
Deni won 35 out of 66 votes from lawmakers in the third, and last round , defeating 20 other candidates. His closest challenger, General Asad Osman Abdullahi, former Puntland spy chief, received 31 votes.
The new president, 52, is widely known for his role in education in Puntland where he helped establish schools and universities. In 2017 he mounted an unsuccessful run for president of Somalia.
Deni campaigned on promoting economic growth and fighting corruption in the relatively peaceful Somali region.
“A new chapter has opened for this state, a chapter of unity and brotherly relations among Somalis,” the new president said.
Puntland's outgoing president, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali, lost in the first round of the election with only eight votes.[12]
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