Hiiraan Online
Monday December 31, 2018
GAROWE (HOL) - A former senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in East Africa has declared his interest in running for the presidential seat of Puntland in Northeastern Somalia.
Dr. Ali Isse Abdi, who was speaking at a ceremony held in Garowe town said that he would focus on improving the econony if elected.
The election is scheduled for January 8, 2019.
"I will focus on improving the econony and ensure I address security issues in the Puntland State if elected," he said.
His candidature has been described as a 'game changer' as Dr. Abdi is the first candidate who hails from Sool region which Somaliland claims to be part of their administration.
Dr. Abdi is currently the Managing Director at the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) whi h is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During his days while working at IMF, Dr. Abdi served in various positions which include; manager, senior economist and as a senior representative in Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
His vast experience as an economist can also be tracked to Citibank and the Central Bank of Somalia where he also worked.
Already, the incumbent leader Abdiweli Ali Gas and former Puntland's army chief of staff Gen Saeed Mohamed Hersi have declared their interest in the seat.