President Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland is learning the hard way that calculated political neglect and coercion cannot subdue a community’s rightful aspiration for development and dignity. For years, President Deni has cynically used vital international donor-funded projects meant for Mudugh as a political bargaining chip in his disputes with the Federal Government of Somalia. In doing so, he has betrayed not only the development hopes of the region but also the trust of the people of Mudugh whose loyalty and sacrifice he has taken for granted.

Among the most glaring examples of this sabotage is the deliberate freezing of key infrastructure projects such as the Galkayo-Garowe, Galkayo-Galdogob, and Gara’ad road corridors—critical arteries for trade, mobility, and economic integration. These roads, funded by international partners and multilateral institutions, were earmarked to boost regional equity and support the long-marginalized Mudugh region. However, President Deni has weaponized these lifelines to serve his political grievances, essentially holding development hostage for personal political leverage.

Perhaps even more insulting is his blatant obstruction of local initiatives, particularly when the Mudugh diaspora and business community sought to rehabilitate Galkayo Airport using their own resources. Not only did he block their efforts, but he reportedly dismissed their need entirely, saying, “Galkayo doesn’t need an airport. Its residents can use the airports of Garowe and Bossaso instead.” This statement, if true, reflects a deep contempt for the basic rights and regional pride of the Mudugh people—people who have contributed immensely to the stability of Puntland, including sending their sons and daughters to the frontlines in the fight against ISIS in the Calmiskaad Mountains.

Meanwhile, basic services such as access to clean water and efforts to tackle environmental pollution in Galkayo have been ignored under his leadership. Galkayo, the second most populous city in Puntland and a major commercial hub, continues to suffer from dilapidated infrastructure, poor sanitation, and systemic underinvestment—all symptoms of an intentional policy of neglect.

Now, President Deni is facing the consequences of his actions. The Mudugh community is rising up. From elders to youth, from local leaders to diaspora members, the people are pushing back against his authoritarianism and demand accountability. In response, Deni has reportedly resorted to threats, intimidation, and desperate phone calls to silence this growing resistance. But the tide has already turned. His tactics, once effective in stifling dissent, are now falling flat in the face of a united community fed up with betrayal.

A Warning to the Mudugh Authorities:

The momentum of the people must not be stifled. This is a defining moment for Mudugh. Do not interfere with the community’s right to speak out, debate, and hold their leaders accountable. To silence these voices would be to repeat the mistakes of Deni’s administration. It is time for a transparent, grassroots conversation about stalled development, frozen funds, and unmet promises.

A Final Message to President Deni:

It is not too late to change course—but the window is rapidly closing. Unfreeze the donor-funded development projects in Mudugh before the international community loses patience and redirects those funds to more cooperative and deserving regions. The people of Mudugh are not begging for favors; they are demanding their share of development and dignity, long denied but never forgotten.

Said Abdullahi Deni’s legacy is at a crossroads. He can choose to be remembered as a divider who betrayed his own citizens for political gamesmanship—or he can finally rise to the occasion, correct his wrongs, and act like a leader for all regions under Puntland’s care. The choice—and the consequences—are his.

WDM Media
Voice of the People. Mirror of the Nation.