Somalia: Puntland Democratization process facing hurdle

GAROWE, Somalia, July 20, 2015 (Garowe Online)- Having spent large sums of money on programmes aimed at promoting democracy in Somalia's northeastern state of Puntland, the European Union-funded Interpeace organization will suspend its projects due to the government’s failure to form electoral commission, Garowe Online has learned. 

Interpeace, an organization that supports Puntland’s democratization process has notified the region’s president Abdiweli Mohamed Ali that it will suspend funds for the democratization process across Puntland.

The organization’s decision comes against the backdrops of multiple attempts by the president to call off the organization’s decision of closing its offices in Puntland. 

Despite the parliamentry endorsement of Electoral Commission bill in January, President Ali hasn’t appointed commissioners and no explanation has been given on the reasons behind the delay in democratization.

The process has encouraged multi-party political system in Puntland, however, the new government has daunted its completion, a decision that might have forced the EU project to suspend the democratic initiative in northeastern Somalia.

After his election, Gaas has promised that his government would speed up transition into multi-party within first year in office.

Launched by his predecessor Abdirahman Farole, the state's first-ever direct elections were suspended in late 2013 as a result of political sabotage by what government at the time described 'spoilers' and terrorist threats. 

GAROWE ONLINE