Puntland leader tells public not to heed ‘failed politicians’

BOSSASO: The President of Somalia’s Puntland government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has criticized what he described ‘failed politicians’ for landing ordinary people in confusion over the country’s troubled transition, Garowe Online reports.

Before departing at Bossaso International airport for a critical Mogadishu forum on Sunday, Ali said his government will act in line with the will of Puntland people during upcoming political talks in Mogadishu.

Puntland President will be attending leadership forum slated to be focused on a model for electoral transition in 2016.

The talks previously stumbled on political differences on whether Somalia should adopt more enhanced legitimacy or return to traditional 4.5 power sharing formula.

Puntland President’s jab follows remarks on local FM stations by former Puntland Education Minister Ali Haji Warsame. Warsame claimed that Puntland is now warm to 4.5 quota after a long running reluctance.

In a position paper on latest political talks, Puntland once more reiterated that Lower House be based on constituencies, pre-1991 districts and Upper House be based on pre-1991 regions.

Earlier in January, discussions ended in failure after parties stuck to their positions. 

GAROWE ONLINE