Somalia PM on visit to Puntland as relations worsen

GAROWE, Somalia, July 14, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Federal Government of Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has kicked off a two-day visit to Puntland amidst worsening ties, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, his Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar, cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and hundreds clad in national and Puntland flags greeted Sharmarke at Garowe airport.

Prime Minister Sharmarke said at a media briefing while sitting next to Ali that he arrived in Puntland to discuss sign of strain in relations between the northeastern state and Mogadishu.

Moreover, he hoped that his delegation and Puntland leadership would reach a consensus on the standing differences.

On Tuesday morning, Somalia Federal Government, Puntland and Jubaland will be gathering for a roundtable meeting, expected to focus on normalization of ties.

Mogadishu Conference

Despite Puntland’s sagging clout, Sharmarke will ask Ali and Jubaland leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) to attend the third phase of leadership forum in Mogadishu.

The two federal states reportedly expressed reservation over the conference in which the federal government and member states are set to discuss the country’s framework for action.

Ali participated in the first phase in Mogadishu in 2014, and the second roundtable held in Garowe ended in controversial communiqué in early May.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is aiming to put differences with federal member states under the bridge before 2016 election.

Pressure has mounted on Sharmarke who hails from Puntland over his position in the constitutional dispute brewing between Mogadishu-based Federal Government and the northeastern state.

The newly elected President of Galmudug, Abdikarin Hussein Gulled is more likely to be invited to Mogadishu conference in late July. 

GAROWE ONLINE