KISMAYO, Somalia (Raxanreeb Online) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni arrived in the southern port city of Kismayo on Wednesday, leading a delegation ahead of the opening session of the Somalia Future Council meeting, which is expected to begin in the coming hours.

Deni, accompanied by an armed security detail, was received at Kismayo airport by Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” and other regional officials. The delegation includes former Puntland president Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, according to the report.

Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also arrived in Kismayo earlier on Wednesday. Additional figures affiliated with the opposition bloc known as the “Samatabixinta” forum are expected to travel to Kismayo shortly from Mogadishu, Garowe and Nairobi.

The meeting is expected to discuss finalising the council’s organisational structure and addressing Somalia’s current transitional political landscape. The gathering comes amid growing criticism from its participants of the federal government’s handling of political affairs.

Security measures in Kismayo were significantly tightened on Wednesday, with additional forces deployed across key roads and strategic locations in the city.