Three people killed in gunfight at Puntland parliament compound

Three people were killed among them two soldiers and a civilian Wednesday evening when a gunfight erupted at the compound of Puntland parliament.

Sources in Garowe said the clash happened when a security team from the presidential guard sought to eject security forces who were guarding the assembly. Puntland speaker Abdihakim Dahad who has been at loggerheads with president Abdullahi Deni, sources said, had installed his preferred security apparatus at the state assembly.

Dahad accused Deni of causing the conflict noting he (Deni) has overall authority of the forces and can ‘deploy them at will’.

The incident happened amid plans to impeach speaker Dahad. By Wednesday evening, 44 MPs had signed the motion and presented it to deputy speaker Abdiaziz Osman who confirmed receipt.

The state assembly is expected to vote this morning on the motion.