Somalia: Diplomats stress need for trust on trip to Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia-A group of international diplomats led by new United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Michael Keating has returned to Mogadishu without concrete steps being taken towards the sticky issue of 4.5 quota, Garowe Online reports. 

At a joint media briefing with Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali before jetting off at Garowe airport, Keating underlined that they have sensed differences of views regarding newly adopted electoral proposal.  

“[Diplomats] came to learn more about our position on Somalia future, consolidation of peace process, 2016 elections and proposal endorsed by international community,” said PuntlandPresident. 

“Our stance reflects on the wider public opinion in Puntland, they came to see what the will of our people is, they met with different segments of society including civil society groups, traditional leaders, parliamentarians, politicians and the government”.

Firing a salvo in brewing dispute regarding election model, he went on: “They have grasped enough of required views, and there’s no agreement,” adding that they won’t rule out possibility of further discussions on Somali agenda again.  On his side, Michael Keating expressed his delight to be in Puntland with colleagues from the African Union, IGAD, Ethiopia, Kenya, Italy, Sweden, UK, EU, US and Uganda. 

“This is a very broad ranging group of people and the presence is evidence of the respect they have for Puntland,” Keating began with his briefing to reporters at Puntland State House.  He noted that they met with many people in the civil society, opposition as well as in the government, saying international community representatives are very grateful for the invitation. 

Continuing, he said: “We are very impressed by what we’ve heard, we were impressed by how articulate and clear the views have been, we have received a number of documents and we are leaving Puntland with a much deeper understanding of the perspective of people here about the future of Somalia, about the future of Puntland and about the expectations of Puntland people for their future”. 

Keating unveiled that talks focused on two areas, decision by the federal government to support an electoral model to be based on 4.5 formula in September this year and the relations between Puntland and Mogadishu.   

“On the former issue, we shared concerns that this model is imperfect, that it doesn’t represent Somalia honoring the commitment it made to itself. International community also wants to support many years ago that Somalia would move away from 4.5, we recognize that and we believe that it still may be the least path of options before us”. 

Delay in elections “bad news” Amid looming differences over whether Somalia should adopt 4.5, new UN envoy said delay of election by 2016 could be very bad news for Somalia. 

“This has negative effects both in terms of security and international community to continue to provide economic support, political support as well as indeed security support,” Keating stressed.  

While acknowledging differences of views, he further noted that this exchange and listening to people have both enriched their understanding. 

“We will now go back to Mogadishu, back to our headquarters in capital, and look forward to a further discussion on these matters to move forward; but we believe fairly and transparently conducted elections do offer a way out of 4.5”. 

On fledgling ties between the federal government and the regions, he called for decisive actions and that trust be built if Somalia is to move forward.

GAROWEONLINE