President of the Puntland

President of the Puntland
The President of the Puntland State of Somalia (POTPOS) represents the head of government, led by six presidents and two interim presidents. The Presidency was elected by the Parliament of Puntland, behind establishing the Puntland State in Somalia on August 1, 1998.
The main office of Puntland consists of three branches of power: the first president, the second vice president, and the third speaker of parliament.
Establishment and History
In 1998, the region of Puntland declared its autonomy and Abdullahi Yusuf was chosen as its first president. Puntland had a single-chamber quasi legislature called the Council of Elders. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed 23 July 1998 - 30 June 2001, in office of the president
Extension and power struggle
In July 2001, Chief Justice of Puntland, Yusuf Haji Nur declared himself the acting President of Puntland following the expiration of Ahmed's presidential term. However, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed disputed Nur's claim and maintained that he was the rightful President, Yusuf Haji Nur served as the interim President starting from July 1, 2001 - November 14, 2001, in office of the president as interim
In November 2001, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the first president of Puntland, was forcibly removed from the capital by the opposition after he refused to leave office despite his term expiring. The opposition convened a council and elected Jama Ali Jama as the new president. Yusuf Haji Nur, who had previously declared himself acting president, handed over the position to the newly elected president, Jama Ali Jama. This power struggle led to a two-year civil war in Puntland. Jama assumed the role of acting president on November 14, 2001, but his tenure was short-lived, lasting only six days until November 21, 2001.
In 2003, Mohamud Muse Hersi Adde, a former Lieutenant general, organized a militia group consisting primarily of members from the Majerten Osman Mahmoud sub-clan. They established a base in Somaliland. General Adde's forces attempted two unsuccessful attacks on Puntland from their Somaliland base. In response to the escalating conflict, traditional elders from Puntland intervened and facilitated a peace agreement between General Adde Muse and Abdullahi Yusuf . The peace agreement, signed in May 2003, led to a collaboration between the two leaders, with their forces combining and power being shared between them, Ahmed then regained the presidency and served his second term from 2003, until October 14, 2004.
After Yusuf's election as President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in October, the Vice President at that time, Mohamed Abdi Hashi, took over the presidency of Puntland. His interim term as President lasted from October 14, 2004, to January 8, 2005.
General Adde Muse administration
In March 2005, President Adde initiated a project to construct an airport in Bosaso, Puntland's commercial capital. The airport, known as Bender Qassim International Airport, has since been completed. Additionally, President Adde made a significant commitment to inaugurate salary payments for primary school teachers, a departure from the traditional practice in Somalia where parents were responsible for teacher payments.
In November 2006, the Union of Islamic Courts captured Bandiiradley, a strategically important settlement near Puntland's border with Mudug. However, a local warlord's spokesman claimed that their troops had tactically withdrawn from the area. The Islamic Courts expressed their intention to advance towards Gaalkacyo, part of which is claimed by Puntland. Previously, the Islamic Courts had avoided incursions into Puntland. General Adde, in response, announced that Puntland would resist any attacks by the Islamic Courts while ruling according to Islamic law in a different manner to avoid politicizing religion.
During the 2008 election year, Puntland experienced a rise in piracy. President Adde firmly stated that giving in to pirates' demands was not an option, supporting the French government's use of force against them. In October 2008, President Muse signed an agreement with Dubai's Lootah Group worth Dh170 million to support the development of an airport, seaport, and free zone in Bosaso. He expressed his belief that these projects would bring improved healthcare, education, and overall prosperity to the people.
President Adde's term as President of Puntland ended in January 2009.
Farole administration
In January 2009, Abdirahman Farole was elected as the new President of Puntland. Under his administration, significant reforms were implemented, primarily focusing on the security and judicial sectors. To enhance the region's justice system, a substantial number of prosecutors, judges, and other court personnel were recruited and trained. Additional prison guards were also hired.
In July 2010, the Puntland Council of Ministers unanimously passed a new anti-terrorism law to effectively address terrorism suspects and their accomplices. Furthermore, plans were underway to establish a special court within the existing criminal courts system, aimed at streamlining the handling of terrorism cases.
Fiscally, a transparent, budget-based public finance system was established, which has reportedly helped increase public confidence in government. In addition, a new regional constitution was drafted and later passed on 15 June 2009, which is believed to represent a significant step toward the eventual introduction of a multi-party political system to the region for the first time; such a system already exists in the adjacent Somaliland region.
More modest reforms were also put into motion in the social sector, particularly in the education and healthcare fields. The regional government has hired more healthcare workers and teachers, with major plans under way for school and hospital renovations. One of the most significant new reforms enacted by the incumbent Puntland administration is the launching in May 2009 of the Puntland Agency For Social Welfare (PASWE), the first organization of its kind in Somali history. The agency provides medical, educational and counselling support to vulnerable groups and individuals such as orphans, the disabled and the blind. PASWE is overseen by a Board of Directors, which consists of religious scholars (ulema), business people, intellectuals and traditional elders.
Democratization process
On 15 June 2009, the Puntland government passed a new regional draft constitution, representing a significant step toward the eventual introduction of a multi-party political system to the region for the first time.
On 15 April 2012, the Puntland government opened a four-day constitutional convention officially inaugurating the new Constitution of Puntland. Overseen by the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC), the constitution represented the final step in the extant regional democratization process and was scheduled to be followed by the formation of political parties.
On 12 September 2012, the Puntland Electoral Commission announced that the registration process for political parties in Puntland was now open. This came after the passing of the Political Association Law, the Referendum Act, the District Elections Law and the inauguration of the state constitution. They will also be challengers in the next elections, scheduled for January 2014.
On 14 November 2012, President Farole announced the launching of his new political party, Horseed. The association counts over 200 members and represents the incumbent Puntland government, including Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire and the state Ministers. It is the first prospective party to register for an application with the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC). According to Farole, the general public will be eligible for membership in the organization once it is selected as an official political party. Five other political associations were established the following month, including the Development and Justice Party Horcad launched by an entrepreneur and businessman Omar Ismail Waberi along other politicians, the Union of the People of the Regions or UPR (Ururka Gobolada Umadaha Bahoobey or UGUB), Midnimo, Talowadaag (Consensus-building), and GAHAYR or Golaha Aqoonta iyo Horumarinta ee Asaaska Yoolka Runta (Council of Education and Development towards Founding the True Goal).
Gaas Administration
On 8 January 2014, former Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was elected as the 5th President of Puntland overcoming Dr. Farole by a single electoral vote. Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar was concurrently elected Puntland's vice president. In office of the president from 8 January 2014 – 8 January 2019.
Incumbent president
On 8 January 2019 the former Federal Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, Said Abdullahi Deni, was declared the new president. The election was closely contested, going to a third round of voting. Deni defeated former intelligence officer, Asad Osman Diyano. Deni got 35 votes, to Diayno's 31 votes.
Deni addressed the lawmakers after being declared the winner. He said he would continue the policies of his predecessor, Abdiweli Gaas.
References
Puntland