The decision by President Said Abdullahi Deni to grant amnesty to those who assisted and supported ISIS operatives has shocked and angered the people of Puntland. These people stood idly by as terrorists slaughtered civilians and soldiers alike. This is not merely a misstep in leadership but a profound betrayal of justice and security.
For years, Puntland’s security forces have fought bravely to push back against the encroaching tide of extremism, often at great personal cost. Families have buried their loved ones, entire communities have been devastated, and survivors continue to live with the trauma inflicted by militant violence. Yet, instead of holding accountable those who facilitated these atrocities, the president has chosen to grant them a second chance, a chance they never afforded their victims.
What message does this send to the people of Puntland? The families of victims continue to suffer in silence because those who stand with terrorists can walk free. That our government values reconciliation with extremists more than justice for those they have wronged? President Deni’s decision not only undermines the rule of law but emboldens those who seek to destabilize our region.
Forgiveness without justice is not peace; it is surrender. In this case, it is a dangerous precedent that will haunt Puntland for years to come. The people of this land deserve leadership that prioritizes their safety and security, not one that compromises with those who have actively worked to destroy it. If the president refuses to uphold justice, then it is up to the people of Puntland to demand it.
The question now is whether we will hold our leaders accountable, or will we allow this betrayal to stand?
Puntland’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and the Unforgivable Amnesty for ISIS Sympathizers
By 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆