UN ambassador to Somalia meets with traditional leaders, Puntland parliament

GAROWE, Somalia August 18, 2014 (Garowe Online)-United Nations envoy and the head of UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Ambassador Nicholas Kay has held separate meetings with traditional leaders, Civil Society Organizations and state parliament in Puntland capital of Garowe during his two-day stay , Garowe Online reports.

On Sunday, Kay toured Puntland parliament building, discussing progress in political front, foreign aid, Mudug conundrum, Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) and what Puntland called constant aggression being perpetrated against Puntland by Somaliland’s separatist administration with Parliament Speaker Saed Hassan Shire.

Speaker Shire handed out a letter proving Puntland’s position on prevailing matters to UN envoy in the course of bilateral talks.

Speaking on Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe MP Saed Abdi Samatar (Sur’ad) said the most important point centred around International aid to Somaliland.

“Puntland parliament informs International Community to reconsider their support to Somaliland as [separatist administration] injects colossal amount of this aid into Sool, Sanaag and Ayn hostilities by displacing local people,” said Surcad.

Puntland parliament is said to have expressed concern over the violation of Provisional Federal Constitution by Somalia government leadership and warned of grim consequences if proper measures are not taken very soon.

Meanwhile, UN envoy’s delegation and civil society organizations gathered for roundtable meeting at UNSOM headquarters on Sunday evening.

On Monday morning, in advance of his departure for Somaliland capital, Hargeisa Ambassador Kay held closed doors meeting with prominent traditional leaders in Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) compound.

Garad Abdullahi Ali Eid, spokesperson of Puntland clan elders club said on Radio Garowe that Mudug and Galgaduud integration marked higher on agendas, with traditional leaders complaining about unclear demarcations and unconstitutional tripartite deal.

Eid added that their position was clear and the UN listened to their stances on the matter.

On July 31, Puntland, located in northern Somalia once again suspended cooperation with Mogadishu in a renewed deadlock over central Somalia state.

GAROWEONLINE