Puntland President Abdullahi Sa’id Deni has officially declared his candidacy for Somalia’s presidency, transforming the political landscape and posing a major challenge to incumbent President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo. As a prominent Darood leader, Deni’s entry fragments the Darood vote and makes a first-round Farmaajo victory unlikely. Analysts expect a competitive election, possibly requiring multiple rounds of voting. Deni has been steadily building support across Somalia and abroad. His influence in Puntland is secure, despite recent setbacks such as the Bosaaso crisis. He enjoys strong external backing from Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, with Nairobi serving as a political hub for many opposition candidates. While Farmaajo supporters label Deni a Kenyan proxy, Kenyan officials have stated they prefer to maintain relations with all Somali actors rather than pick sides.