Deal with Puntland may be debated in Somalia parliament

MOGADISHU, Somalia-Somalia’s Federal Government (SFG) President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliament speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari may be planning to put forward Garowe deal for ongoing national assembly session, a source privy to the matter told Garowe Online.

The report emerges amid political talks that brought together federal government leadership and the presidents of federal member States in Mogadishu.

National consultative forum focuses on modality for 2016 election, National Security Policy (NSP) presented by Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte and constitutional review exercise.

Mohamud and Jawari are said to have shared concerns over the influence of federal member states during MPs selection process in respective regional capitals across the country.

“President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s henchmen are worried about whether prospective MPs would vote for them or not in presidential elections, while Jawari has own obsession with the substantial clout of Southwest State President on Lower House and Upper House,” the source said under customary condition of anonymity.

Earlier this month, Somali Federal Government and Puntland agreed to a poll deal giving oversight power to the presidents of Federal Member States and Interim Regional Administrations.

Technical preparations are in gear for Somalia’s upcoming selection and election endeavor.

GAROWEONLINE