Somalia: We will not accept Election delay, opposition tells Puntland leader

GAROWE, Puntland - The recent constitutional changes enacted by by regional assembly of Puntland were "illegal" and against the rule of law, the state's opposition team said in a statement, noting that the required procedures were violated, thus becoming "null and void".

In a conference at Garowe, the capital of Puntland, the opposition team insisted incumbent President Said Abdullahi Deni could not "extend" his term which expires in January 2024, warning that the state could degenerate to anarchy and intolerance, similar to events of 2001 when it was only 3 years old.

Deni, whose leadership has been subject to "dishonesty and questionable integrity", is accused of mobilizing outgoing lawmakers to change election laws to his advantage. Critics believe he is hell-bent to remain in power for two more years, following constitutional changes sanctioned by his administration.

The president, whose grip is waning given persistent military mutinies over unpaid allowances, regional militia, and military fights, coupled with political infighting and differences, has also cut ties with the federal government, making it difficult for the people of Puntland to get adequate government services.

The upcoming elections, opposition leaders said, will have new local legislators picked by traditional elders given that the tenure of the current parliament will be lapsing as well. A total of 66 MPs will be picked before electing the president as enshrined in the laws, they said.

Although Puntland has been trying to implement universal suffrage polls, such efforts have been futile with the opposition accusing the government of registering underage children as voters, thus affecting the integrity and transparency of the whole exercise. The opposition rejected recent direct local government elections due to "voter register manipulation".

The opposition team asked Puntland’s traditional elders to expedite the selection of Parliament. Should the government fail to facilitate the election, they averred, the opposition will not stand idle but will proceed and initiate the process themselves.

Deni has been under pressure to respect the "rule of law" and embrace the "democratization" process in Puntland, one of Somalia's most stable federal states. Deni cut links with Mogadishu over claims that the federal government was not willing to share resources equitably, questioning the government of its commitment towards federalism.

On SSC-Khatumo regions in Sool, Sanag, and Ayn, the opposition team praised efforts by the local leadership to "defend their rights" following aggression by the federal state of Somaliland, which claimed to have seceded from Somalia. Somaliland has been fighting with SSC-Khatumo forces who want the region to be governed from Mogadishu.

The opposition team also supported the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab in central and southern regions, terming the progress as "remarkable and patriotic". Thousands of Al-Shabaab militants have been killed since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared "total war" against Al-Shabaab.

The Puntland Opposition Council announced the formation of an umbrella opposition group, consisting of various political associations key among them the Puntland Political Forum, Political Council for Salvation, Supreme Council of the Law, and Puntland Rescue Forum.

Others are the Youth Political Association, Mideeya Political Association, Horseed Political Association, and Union of Presidential Candidates. The group is most likely set to field a selected presidential candidate to challenge Deni, but their overall strategy is yet to be made public.

GAROWE ONLINE