Monday May 25, 2020
GAROWE (HOL) - Relations between Puntland President Abdullahi Deni and his Deputy Ahmed Elmi Karaash Sunday went further south after Karaash went public accusing his boss of insubordination and failure to consult on management of the state.
Karaash said in a media interview Deni had violated the Constitution by making unilateral appointments of ministers and other senior government officials without his input.
“The President has demonstrated he is no longer respecting my role as Vice President,” Karaash told BBC Somali.
The two leaders who have had sour relations in recent months appeared to sharply differ in the mid of this month following changes in the presidential guard.
According to a letter addressed to Deni and copied to the state parliament, Karaash protests the dismissal of deputy presidential guard commander Colonel Abdiqani Mohamed Harbi.
“Since you have appointed the commander and deputy commander of the presidential guard without consulting me in violation of Puntland constitution, Colonel Abdiqani Mohamed Harbi remains the deputy commander and should continue his work as usual,” Karaash said in a letter dated May 15, 2020.
Karaash however said in the interview Sunday he did not object the appointment of the commander Osman Ethiopia.
“I have already accepted the appointment of the Commander. What happens when the person I appointed was fired and the one appointed by Deni is accepted?” Karaash charged.
In the new changes, Deni appointed Ethiopia as the commander and Abdirizak Ahmed Ali his deputy kicking out Harbi who was appointed by Karaash in December 2019 when he served as acting president.
Former Puntland speaker Dhobi Dareed who was kicked out in a motion of no confidence sponsored by Deni’s faction has lashed at Deni accusing him of unilateral decisions.
"The president has violated the constitutional rights granted to the vice president, which he has to be consulted. "The dialogue is, in fact, a constitutional mandate for the president to consult with his deputy," he said.
Both Dareed and Karaash come from Sanag & Sool regions.