GAROOWE (SD) – The President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, held high-level talks today in Garowe with a United States delegation led by Justin Davis amid ongoing political and security tensions in Somalia.

The meeting took place at the Puntland Presidential Palace and was attended by Ilyas Osman Lugatoor alongside senior Puntland officials. The American delegation also included officials from the United States Africa Command, among them Colonel Shane Jones, commander of U.S. Special Operations in Africa.

According to Puntland officials, the discussions focused on three major areas: security cooperation, Somalia’s political transition, and economic development.

The two sides reviewed the broader political and security situation in Somalia, including Puntland’s role in regional stability and ongoing operations against extremist groups.

Discussions also centred on strengthening cooperation between Puntland and the United States in areas including security assistance, foreign investment, and the development of Puntland’s natural resources, particularly oil, fisheries, and minerals.

During the meeting, Justin Davis praised Puntland’s recent military operations in the Almiskad mountains against Islamic State Somalia militants, describing Puntland as an important partner in regional counterterrorism efforts.

The acting ambassador also commended Puntland’s governance and security progress and reaffirmed continued U.S. support in areas such as security, social services, and economic development.

The talks were additionally attended by Puntland cabinet ministers, senior presidential advisers, and top government officials involved in discussions concerning cooperation and Somalia’s evolving political situation.

The meeting between Puntland President Deni and senior U.S. officials highlights Puntland’s growing strategic importance in both Somalia’s political landscape and regional counterterrorism operations.

Security cooperation appears to have been a major focus of the talks, particularly following Puntland’s intensified military campaign against ISIS-linked militants in the Calmiskaad mountains. The presence of senior AFRICOM officials signals continued American interest in maintaining close security coordination with Puntland authorities.

At the same time, the discussions on politics and natural resources suggest that Puntland is seeking to strengthen its international partnerships while positioning itself as a stable and economically significant regional administration within Somalia.

The meeting also comes during heightened political tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia over constitutional amendments and the electoral process. Continued U.S. engagement with Puntland may reflect Washington’s effort to maintain dialogue with multiple Somali stakeholders as political uncertainty grows.

The emphasis on investment and natural resources indicates that Puntland is also attempting to attract greater international economic involvement, especially in sectors such as oil exploration, fisheries, and mineral development, which are increasingly viewed as key components of the region’s long-term strategy.