Two years of mixed fortunes for Puntland leader, Gaas
Two years ago, Harvard trained professor and former Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Mohamed Ali popularly known as Gaas was elected president of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland as the fifth president since the formation of the state in 1998.
Gaas who had finished a one year stint as Somalia’s Prime Minister succeeded Abdirahman Faroole as Puntland’s president taking over the reins of power in a region which had enjoyed relative stability and functional structures of the state unlike other regions in the country.
His two year reign has been marked by remarkable developments and equally a share of challenges. Key among his achievements have been the modernisation of the Bosaso airport and seaport in addition to construction of major roads in the state.
But the Al-shabaab menace in the Galgala mountain ranges remained a challenge for his administration particularly in the first year. A brewing rebellion which culminated in the resignation of his police chief and the deadly terror attack on UN workers in Garowe last year are among some of the other challenges his administration has had to deal with.
However the deadly clash between his soldiers and that of newly formed neighboring state, Galmudug late last year marked a new low for the Gaas administration. Upwards of 70 people were killed and 100 others injured in the clash which had the intervention of the country’s top leadership and the international community to quell.
Gaas’s administration has had a difficulty acknowledging the existence of Galmudug state which it sees as having been curved out of his own land.
Relations between Garowe and Mogadishu have also suffered major blows particularly in the last one year. The Provisional Constitution has been a key point of divergence between the two centres. Puntland has been of the Garowe I draft constitution has been amended contrary to what was agreed with.
Here is the summary of the two years term of Abidwali Gaas as president of Puntland.
January 8, 2014: He was elected the fifth president of Puntland state alongside with his deputy Abdihakim Haji Omar (Amay)
June 07, 2014: Sheikh Mohad Said Atom-the leader of Alshabab branch in Puntland surrenders himself to Federal Government of Somalia and denounced his previous radical militarism. Abdiwali Gaas welcomed the move saying it’s encouraging step.
August 4, 2014: Bari region police commissioner assassinated by Alshabab wing in Puntland in bomb blast.
October 21, 2014: Gaas headed off to London to participate in the African Investment Summit in which UK invited a number of Eastern African countries. Gaas represented Somalia.
January 27, 2015: Puntland hosted the New Deal Compact conference in Garowe.
February 1, 2015: Abdiwali Gas fired the governor of Nugal region Abdi Qani Hashi in bid to end the mayor’s alleged defiant attitude towards him.
March 3, 2015: Puntland President pays a visit to Kismayo. Political analyst said the visit was aimed to establish political alliance with the strongman of Jubbaland Ahmad-Madobe.
April 9, 2015: The first lady of the former Puntland president Mahmoud Ahmad Farowle murdered by her own son. The tragic murder came after long bad relationship between the family and the son.
June 16, 2015: President Gaas reshuffles his cabinet in response to repeated public pressure.
June 25, 2015: General Muhaydin Ahmad Muse –deputy police commissioner rebels against president Gaas. The general justifies his action as based on salaries that had not been paid to the Police forces on a 7 months period. The general and his men went to Tukarag 40km to west of Garowe to build defense lines against any upcoming Puntland attack.
November 22, 2015: A deadly fight breaks out between Galmudug and Puntland. The fight which took two weeks to end left 70 people dead and at 100 wounded. The fight estimated to have displaced 70% of the Galkayo residents.
October 28, 2015: Puntland Parliament votes out its own speaker Said Hassan Shire. The speaker’s departure came after bitter standoff with president Gaas on political issues.
December 7, 2015: The security chief of Bososo airport is killed by member of his own guard.