Former Puntland Security Minister Gen. Abdullahi Said Samatar who was relieved off his duties in a recent Cabinet reshuffle has spoke out.

In a brief interview with VOA Somali section, Gen. Samatar, who is currently in the US,  said he has no problem about relinquishing his job but questioned about the manner in which it was done.

Gen. Abdullahi Said Samatar, ex-Puntland security minister

He termed unfortunate for Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole" to relieve him from the duty while on a foreign trip, adding that the president did not discuss with him the matter while he was in the region.

Asked about the relative security that the region particularly commercial capital Bossaso experienced since his departure, Samatar said that it came with several efforts including arrest of perpetrators while he was in office.  

He however refused to comment about decision by the former head of Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) Osman Diana to refuse to vacate the office.

President Farole recently carried out a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle as part of efforts to rejuvenate his one-year government.

He is currently leading a delegation on a visit to Ethiopia where he met with officials from that country and representatives from foreign countries, who are involved in Somali affairs particularly Puntland.

GAROWE ONLINE