Somalia: Puntland Leader rules out presidential bid
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- Posted On 04-08-2016, 02:08PM
GAROWE, Somalia-The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali unveiled, he will not run for President in 2016 elections amidst political talks in Mogadishu.
In an interview with Somali channel, HCTV, Puntland leader said that he was sworn into office for five years and he would continue to stay: “I am not running for Somalia Presidency, I said of this before and I reiterate now. I was elected by the [Parliament] and I pledged to serve in my presidency over a tenure. I will be in Puntland, and continue to deliver on.”
Ali noted that Somalis became politically mature, hoping the Electoral Colleges (ECs) will pick effective members to Lower and Upper Houses.
Moreover, Puntland leader did not rule out possible run for Presidency by 2020, insisting ‘he has more time to go until that date’.
On the role of international community in national politics, he admitted that donors enjoy broad leverage but downplayed the speculated magnitude of international clout.
Nearly a dozen contenders announced their intention to run against incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in 2016 poll.
Somali political leaders are meeting in Mogadishu to agree to a new election timetable.
GAROWE ONLINE
