MOGADISHU — A deepening political rift between Puntland leader Said Abdullahi Deni and former Puntland Security Force (PSF) commander Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyaano, now a senior commander within Somalia’s police force, is escalating tensions, driven by a power struggle and disputes over leadership within the semi-autonomous region.
The dispute reflects long-standing fractures within Puntland’s security architecture, particularly surrounding the PSF, an elite unit originally trained and supported with foreign assistance for counterterrorism operations. Over time, the force evolved into a powerful security actor with its own command structures, contributing to tensions with Puntland’s political leadership over control, accountability, and integration into formal state institutions.
These tensions came to a head in previous years when disagreements over the command and deployment of the PSF led to internal splits, weakening cohesion within Puntland’s security apparatus. Analysts say the current standoff between Deni and Diyaano cannot be understood without this background, as it revives unresolved questions over who controls armed forces in Puntland and how they relate to both regional and federal authorities.
In recent days, Diyaano has been linked to efforts to mobilize forces in parts of southern Somalia, including Baidoa. While details remain unclear, such movements have raised concern among Puntland officials, who view them as part of a broader realignment of security loyalties at the national level.
Puntland leader Deni, reacting swiftly, has convened security forces over the past two days, holding urgent meetings aimed at consolidating loyalty within Puntland’s ranks. The mobilization signals both a defensive posture and a show of strength at a time when trust between regional and federal actors appears increasingly fragile.
The confrontation also highlights wider tensions between Somalia’s federal government and its member states. Since the adoption of the federal system, disputes over authority, resource-sharing, and control of security forces have been recurring features of Somali politics. Regional leaders have often accused the federal government of overreach, while Mogadishu has sought to assert centralized control, particularly over national security institutions.
Speaking publicly, Deni launched a sharp verbal attack on Somalia’s leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing the federal government of interference and warning that Puntland is prepared to confront “any form of aggression.” His remarks underscore a deepening mistrust that has periodically strained relations between Puntland and Mogadishu.
“We are ready to defend Puntland from any direction,” Deni said, signaling a hardening stance amid rising tensions.
For his part, Diyaano’s evolving role within federal security structures is seen by some observers as emblematic of a broader shift in Somalia’s security landscape, where former regional commanders are increasingly integrated into national frameworks—sometimes blurring lines of loyalty and authority.
Analysts say the current confrontation underscores a broader contest over power between regional administrations and the federal government, as well as internal rivalries among Somalia’s security elites. The overlapping chains of command and competing political interests continue to complicate efforts to build a unified national security system.
While no direct clashes have been reported, observers warn that continued mobilization and escalating rhetoric could heighten the risk of instability. Without sustained dialogue and clearer agreements on the distribution of power and control over security forces, the dispute risks deepening existing fractures within Somalia’s fragile federal structure.
