Somalia: Farole meets Keating as Puntland cool to 4.5

GAROWE, Somalia-GAROWE, Somalia-Former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole has met with new United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Michael Keating as the northeastern State is leery of new electoral proposal, Garowe Online reports.

Accompanied by former vice President other politicians which included a number former ministers. Abdirahman Farole and Keating alongside a group of foreign diplomats covering Somalia, discussed the country’s controversial transition by 2016.

Abdirahman Farole and an entourage of politicians at Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) told visiting international community representatives the past 4.5 tribal based scheme  is obsolete model that dodges the rights and will of people across all spectrums who want that election be based on regions.

They asked foreign diplomats to opt for neutral tune in Somali political landscape, and avoid taking sides in the prevailing debate.

Former Puntland leader went to great lengths about the political dispensation of the future Somalia; former accords witnessed by international community, and recalled the country’s bloodiest internal strife.

He said, 4.5 scheme is considered to be something of the past, obsolete and dysfunctional.

Continuing, he stressed: “The Puntland people and its current leadership are within their legal and constitutional rights in rejecting the unilateral election blueprint proposed by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for the upcoming federal election”.

Farole told them that it would have been better if you had come to Puntland before endorsing unilateral blueprint re-election campaign by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“This may not give Puntland any other option but to stay out from this process. Things went too far, Somalia has yet to reconcile,” he concluded.

Civil society groups cool to Somalia proposal

Meanwhile in Garowe, civil society groups expressed their concern over any process entailing 4.5 power sharing formula in a separate meeting with the delegation led by Michael Keating.

The gathering closed to media brought together international community representatives and civil society activists.

Writing to foreign diplomats, civil society groups called for district-based representation instead of adopting 4.5 quota.

The letter urged international community to stay neutral in the political discourse and listen to the views of key stakeholders. Besides, elders maintained their position on the selection and election Somalia should implement.

Puntland traditional leaders have previously railed against any model ushering in the controversial representation in Lower House, contrary to a proposal endorsed by donors and introduced by Mogadishu-based federal government.

SOURCE GAROWEONLINE