GAROWE, (HAN) – Political tensions in Puntland are set to intensify this week as former Finance Minister Hassan Shire Abgaal, one of the region’s prominent opposition figures, prepares to launch fresh political consultations in Garowe against the administration of President Said Abdullahi Deni. His expected arrival on Thursday is already drawing significant attention across Puntland’s political landscape.
Hassan Shire, who served as Puntland’s Minister of Finance until his abrupt dismissal by President Deni on September 23, 2022, is remembered for his disciplined financial management. During his tenure, civil servants and security forces received salaries on time, sparing the region the wage-related unrest and soldier protests that have since plagued Deni’s administration.
Remaining politically active after his dismissal, Shire challenged Deni in the January 2024 presidential elections. That contest, however, was overshadowed by controversy. Opposition groups accused Deni of undermining Puntland’s democratic traditions by seizing control of MP selection—a responsibility historically entrusted to clan elders—thereby consolidating power in his own hands.
Today, with Puntland facing mounting discontent over unpaid wages and governance challenges, Shire’s return is seen by many as a potential rallying point for the opposition. Analysts note that his reputation as a disciplined technocrat contrasts sharply with the fiscal crises now burdening the administration. His consultations in Garowe could energize opposition blocs and further strain Puntland’s divided political class.
The stakes are high. As Deni’s government grapples with domestic criticism and Puntland’s uneasy place in Somalia’s federal politics, Hassan Shire’s next moves may determine whether the opposition can form a credible challenge—or whether the region will sink deeper into political fragmentation.
