GAROWE (SD) – Puntland Vice President Ahmed Elmi Osman Karash fired three Puntland government ministers, who are closest to President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Puntland Vice President Ahmed Elmi Osman Karash said in a statement that he had fired Finance Minister Hassan Shire Abgal, Interior Minister Mohamed Abdirahman Dhabancad and Security Minister Abdisamad Galan.

Ahmed Karash appointed Abdirizak Mire Hassan (Gawido) as Minister of Finance, Abdiqani Hashi Ali Isse (Bumbo) was appointed Minister of Interior, Federalism and Democratization, and Ahmed Haji Ibrahim Artan (Bakin) was appointed Minister of Security and DDR.

Puntland’s presidency is embroiled in a political crisis over president Deni’s decision to run for the presidency of Somalia without resigning, leading to a rift between government institutions and the administration in Puntland.

Puntland President Said Deni has not yet commented on Vice President Karash’s the decision to fire the three minsters.