Puntland President H:E Said Abdullahi Deni HESaidADeni
departed for Ethiopia on Friday aboard a private aircraft from Garowe International Airport in what officials described as an unannounced and urgent visit.
According to sources familiar with the matter, President Deni informed a limited number of senior officials in his administration shortly before his departure, describing the trip as an urgent mission expected to last several days. Puntland authorities have not issued an official statement detailing the purpose of the visit.
According to Idilnews, the visit followed several days of consultations involving the Puntland Presidency, the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office, and the U.S. Department of State. The report states that the discussions focused on regional security, counterterrorism cooperation, and the evolving political and security situation in Somalia. These claims have not been independently verified.
Citing senior Puntland intelligence sources, Idilnews reports that the United States and Ethiopia raised concerns about potential terrorist threats targeting Puntland. The report adds that Ethiopia is seeking to strengthen security coordination with Puntland, citing the importance of stability along their shared regional frontier.
The publication further reports that Puntland security forces recently disrupted networks allegedly involved in recruiting young men from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State for transfer to Eritrea, where they were reportedly to receive military training before being sent back into Ethiopia. According to the report, nearly 60 individuals were detained in Puntland and subsequently transferred to authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State. The article also alleges that the recruits had been registered as members of the Somali National Army and links the recruitment effort to officials associated with Somalia’s federal government. These allegations have not been independently substantiated.
During his visit to Addis Ababa, President Deni is expected to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. According to the report, their discussions will focus on Somalia’s political and security landscape, enhanced intelligence cooperation, military coordination, and broader regional counterterrorism efforts.
Idilnews also reports that President Deni is expected to meet senior U.S. diplomats and may sign a new security cooperation agreement with Ethiopia. According to the publication, Ethiopia currently provides intelligence support and military training to Puntland’s security forces. @Pldefenceforce
Puntland has played a significant role in regional counterterrorism operations, particularly in its campaign against ISIS in the Bari region. The United States, through U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), @USAfricaCommand
has publicly commended the Puntland Defense Forces for their effectiveness and resilience in operations targeting ISIS.
As of publication, neither the Puntland Presidency, the Ethiopian government, nor the U.S. Department of State has publicly confirmed the reported meetings or the proposed security agreement. Further details are expected as the visit progresses.