Somalia: Puntland President reaches deal with Parliament

GAROWE, Somalia- The President of Somalia’s northeastern government of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas", has reached an agreement with the state's Parliament following the dismissal of the cabinet last week, Garowe Online reports.

GO has learnt that the two sides held a meeting on Saturday night, and agreed on a number of issues, including passing the 2015-2016 budget, which President Ali asked the MPs not to sabotage or reverse it.

The demand by the lawmakers to bring back the budget, put pressure on Ministry of Finance and Presidency, leading President Ali, to swiftly reach deal with the Parliament, to end the stalemate.

The source added that the legislators who attended the meeting agreed to approve the upcoming cabinet by the President, who previously worried about a rejection, if he reinstate outgoing Ministers.

The Parliament wants from Ali to solve first the main factors that caused the topple of his cabinet last week, on July 18, mainly the insecurity, corruption and among others, according to the sources.

People and pundits believed that the vote of no confidence motion against the cabinet was politically motivated and for personnel interest, but not based on the accountability of government agencies.

The recent move to vote out Puntland government by the state's legislative body, was the first of its kind since the establishment of Somalia's northeastern region in 1998.

It came after a wide criticism against President Ali's administration, accused of poor performance, misuse of foreign donations, security deterioration and weak economy in the past few years.

GAROWEONLINE