A tense situation has been reported in the Ceel-Daahir area of Bari region, stemming from a growing conflict between khat traders and the family of Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.
According to local sources, khat traders have reportedly deployed technical (armed) vehicles to the town of Ceel-Daahir in protest against President Deni. The traders accuse the president of monopolizing the khat trade through his son, effectively sidelining other business people from participating in the lucrative market.
The dispute began earlier in February, when khat traders in Puntland publicly accused President Deni’s son of being the sole controller of khat imports and flights that deliver khat into Puntland — a move they claim is stifling fair competition.
The situation is said to be escalating, with many fearing that it could trigger wider unrest if not swiftly addressed by Puntland authorities.
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