By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 25 October 2025 — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has praised Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” for initiating a peace conference in Erigavo, calling for collective support to achieve lasting stability in the region.
Speaking on Saturday while opening the 57th session of the Puntland House of Representatives, President Deni said the peace efforts led by Somaliland’s leader represented a “constructive and unifying step” that should be embraced by all sides.
“I commend President Abdirahman Cirro for the peace initiative he has taken in Erigavo, and I encourage all parties to contribute to ensuring lasting peace in the city,” President Deni said.
His remarks came just days after President Irro similarly praised President Deni for his supportive stance toward the Erigavo peace process, in what observers described as a rare exchange of goodwill between the two Presidents.
Erigavo, the capital of Sanaag region, is one of the most strategically important cities in northern Somalia. For decades, Puntland and Somaliland have both claimed administrative authority and political influence over the region.
The area has witnessed inter-communal tensions and sporadic clashes among local clans, often aggravated by the wider political dispute between the two sides.
