Somalia: Puntland concerned with deadlock amid widespread vote-buying

GAROWE, Somalia Nov 20, 2014 (Garowe Online)- Puntland Government in northern Somalia on Friday said it is deeply concerned with the worsening political dispute between the President and Prime Minister amidst large scale vote-buying in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports. 

According to a press statement from presidential spokesman, Puntland shares the concerns being expressed by international community members and appeals to the parties to break the deadlock through compromise. 

"Puntland Government believes that the standing dispute that emanated from the recent cabinet reshuffle by the Prime Minister can not be a tantamount to the lingering confusion within the state institutions," read the statement. 

Continuing, Puntland warned of what it described widespread vote-buying aimed at destroying government institutions at the expense of millions reeling under drought , life-threatening flooding and chronic insecurity. 

"Puntland recommends, every single person who derails and negates the cessation of the ongoing dispute and mutually inclusive cooperation to be labelled a 'spoiler'," said the north eastern state, calling on international community to hold political spoilers accountable for. 

Accusations of Vote-Buying 

On Thursday, in an interview with BBC Somali Service, United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay has undercut expectations of apology to some lawmakers in the 275-seat-chamber of parliament, unveiling that he sees no reason to apologize for vote-buying concerns. 

While stressing the need for immediate solutions to the damaging bickering, he told that vote-buying remains apparent in accordance with the feeling among the members of the public.

As political division gains momentum, nearly 30 MPs who reportedly backed the no confidence motion in the prime minister yesterday defected from pro-president Mohamud faction. 

Speaking on government-owned station, Radio Mogadishu, Mohamud urged parliamentarians to step in ,and execute the tasks on the table, referring to the no-confidence motion. 

"There are no personal differences between the Prime Minister and me, we are friends, we hang out," he went on."The problem arises when it comes to the job". 

Somalia's political clashes dragged to the fifth week, with international mediation efforts yielding no major breakthrough as of yet. 

GAROWE ONLINE