Somalia: Puntland warns against term extension, delay in 2016 elections

GAROWE, Somalia, July 30, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Puntland Government in northern Somalia has announced that it will not accept term extension, a few days after the national government ruled out the possibility of holding ‘one person, one vote’ elections for security concerns, Garowe Online reports.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has dismissed that he is weighing options over extending presidential term beyond 2016 in an interview with VOA Somali Service on Wednesday.

“The government of Puntland Categorically states that it will not accept a term extension or a delay of the 2016 elections,” the presidency said in statement.

Puntland suggested that it is keen on hosting consultative national conference on 2016 elections and shared priorities.

“[Puntland[] is fully ready to work with all Somalis and International partners in the timely realization of an inclusive fair and transparent elections in 2016,” the northeastern state further noted.

Having tasked to make possible popular elections by 2016, Somalia federal government is insisting that it was not ready to hold direct elections before September 2016, the date in which the mandate of the current government expires.

Moreover, Puntland presidency said that Somalia is at critical juncture, calling that momentum and optimistic trajectory be sustained.

Continuing, the statement read: “At the same time, we are alarmed at the current political paralysis and crisis, and sincerely call upon all Somali stakeholders to show leadership and wisdom out of this quagmire”.

Federal Constitution

Puntland once again reiterated that 24 clauses and articles in the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) have unilaterally and without prior consent been tampered with.

Among the important clauses are the status of national capital, suspension of upper house, member states formation, amendments to federal constitution and devolution of power.

It accused UN-backed central government of illegally throwing support behind Interim Galmudug Administration which consists of a region and half in violation of the constitution.

Distancing itself from domestic hostility, the government said, two key commissions-Electoral Board and Boundary and Federation commission-were formed in order to drum up evils of civil war.

Previous Agreements

Mogadishu-based federal government and Puntland signed teeminly a number of agreements dating from 2009 to 2015. The latter has alleged that Somalia government failed to have a joint consultation on vision 2016, evenly distribute international assistance, let Puntland take advantage of natural resources, evict squatters from buildings in Mogadishu in support of rightful owners, build united national army, adhere to inclusive appointments at higher hierarchy of government at federal level and recognize Puntland secondary school’s leaving certificate.

Puntland indicated that failure to honor these deals forced the state and the people to lose confidence in the federal government.

On Federalism, Puntland warned against Mogadishu centric unitary system, something that goes against the federal constitution.

“The Federal Government opposed the recognition of the constitutionally compliant and legitimately formed Jubbaland federal member state, while publically promoting the recognition of the unconstitutional Adaado administration,” a spokesman for the government had remarked before journalists at Puntland State House.

On July 23, United Nations envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Nicholas Kay stated that international partners remained committed to deals signed between Garowe and Mogadishu.

“The international community is committed to the agreement signed between the Federal Government and Puntland Government in Garowe in October 2014 that should enable communities in Puntland and GIA [Galmudug Interim Administration] to coexist in peace,” reaffirmed Kay while speaking at the inauguration of Galmudug President, Abdikarin Hussein Gulled.

Speaking at High Level Partnership Forum in Mogadishu on Wednesday President Mohamud stressed the need for a strong and relevant Constitution that is clear and applicable to all, and that safeguards the rights of all Somalis.

“We must ensure an electoral process is in place to assure the safe, irrefutable and democratic transition of power in 2016,” he said in address to more than 30 international diplomats.

Suspension of 2016 popular elections drew condemnations from Somali politicians, more probably burnishing the ire of New Deal Somalia compact backers. 

GAROWE ONLINE