Somalia: Puntland President heads to Saudi Arabia

BOSSASO, Puntland- The President of Somalia’s northeastern region of Puntland, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas”, has arrived in Bossaso town, the provincial capital of Bari region on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Close sources tell GO that President Ali, who is accompanied by members of the state Presidency is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah.

The visit followed after Puntland has announced that it is siding with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates on the Gulf crisis and called for the Federal Government of Somalia to reconsider its position.

A statement released by Presidency on Wednesday, the Semi-autonomous government of Puntland has thanked Saudi and UAE governments for carrying out various development projects in Somalia and the security support.

It urged the federal government, to review its neutral stance it took on Gulf crises, due to the country's good and historical relations with Saudi Arabia and UAE, warning a division among the Somali people.

President Ali's trip to Saudi Arabia comes as his tenure ending in one and a half year.

 GAROWEONLINE