Garoowe — An advance delegation comprising members of the Puntland Presidential Guard, cabinet ministers, and senior officials from the Puntland Presidency has departed Garoowe to oversee preparations for the official reception of the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni.

Video footage of the delegation shows heavily armed security personnel alongside senior protocol officials, underscoring the scale of preparations being undertaken ahead of the president’s arrival. The team forms part of a preliminary mission tasked with coordinating security, protocol, and logistical arrangements.

President Deni has been absent in recent months from key political engagements involving the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition figures. However, he recently agreed to participate in dialogue following an invitation from the federal government, after the Council for Somalia’s Future called for inclusive talks during consultations held in Kismayo.

Formal talks between the Federal Government and opposition leaders are scheduled to commence today, 1 February 2026. Mogadishu is expected to receive senior leaders from the federal member states of Puntland and Jubbaland in the coming hours, as the capital prepares to host a pivotal round of national political dialogue.