Somalia: Puntland parliament goes on Ramadan recess

GAROWE, Somalia-Lawmakers in Somalia’s Puntland parliament have begun Ramadan recess on Monday, Garowe Online reports.

MP Abdkarim Shacur told Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe that the lawmakers are taking a break for the holy month of Ramadan and upcoming Eid Al Fitr festivity without a re-scheduled date for the next session.  

Shacur dismissed claims of government influence in the parliamentary recess.  

On June 15, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali convened 37th session of parliament, focusing on security, economy, 2016 electoral transition, and economic infrastructure development in his presidential address in line with customs.  

The President addressed the 66-seat-chamber on latest security measures adopted in light of terror threats posed to state security. 

Ali noted that the armed forces put a tight security in place in coastal areas along the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea following the neutralization of boatloads of militants in March.   

He has not discussed hyperinflation and Somali shilling gradually becoming valueless in his address to parliament, but in turn insisted that his government will continue capitalizing on impressive infrastructure growth for economy.   

Puntland MPs are expected to pose questions to ministers in their next legislative gathering.

GAROWEONLINE