Somalia: Puntland President admits call for expansion of state Parliament

GAROWE, Puntland- The President of Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas” has admitted that he called the Parliament leadership to consider expanding the state’s 66-seats-chamber, Garowe Online reports. 

After a week-long revelation about the controversial move by the media, Puntland President spoke about the plan during a special event hosted by the Diaspora community for Puntland delegate in UK. 

According to the letter, Ali was reported requesting to give additional 7 parliamentary seats to several clans.

“I handed over a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, and requested to open the parliament session to deliberate giving seats to clans in Puntland. About fifty-percent of the clans don’t have seats,” said Ali. 

President Ali attempted to convince the Diaspora community that the move aimed to ensure justice and rights among clans in the region, but the move is hugely opposed by the the public and clans who accused him of planning to favor his political position with allied clans before the next election. 

According to Puntland state’s constitution Article 60, the state chamber shall comprise of 66 members until regional census is made. “Expanding the state Parliament without adhering to the constitutional process could plunge the region into undesired clan conflicts,” said a constitutional lawyer to GO.

The reason of the expansion is in doubt since Puntland government has failed to timely adopt the democratization process it promised during its first year to achieve one-man one-vote ballot before January 2019 election despite international partners' financial pledges to support the process.

However, a parliamentary source indicated that members of state Parliament have strongly opposed the notion and called the Parliament leadership not to table President's request, indicating that it will cause constitutional crisis. 

However, the move coincides with Ali’s tenure ending in less than 18 months, and is highly anticipated that state’s 66-seats-chamber will select the next President in January 2019.

GAROWEONLINE