Somalia: Federal Govt, Puntland agree on election model

GAROWE, Somalia-Puntland Government in northern Somalia has announced that it has backed down in national poll row with UN-backed central government following days of intense deliberations, Garowe Online reports. 

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, and Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali have signed the agreement hailed as landmark by visiting regional and international diplomats in the state capital of Garowe.  

Straddling a key maritime border, and emboldened by recent victory over stray boatloads of militants, Puntland appeared reluctant at the onset of sticky political talks, later eased by presence of U.N. Somalia envoy Michael Keating, AU’s Francisco Madiera, top EU diplomat Michele Cervone d’Urso, IGAD Chief Mahboub Maalin, its Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Afey,and Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairperson of IGAD Council of Ministers Dr. Tedros Adhanom. 

In January, Puntland signaled a defiant note after Federal Member States rallied around Mogadishu-based federal government in a plan to conduct selection and election process within the framework of traditional 4.5 power sharing formula.  

Puntland’s objection prompted for a group of diplomats led by the newly appointed UN envoy Ambassador Michael Keating to push ahead with concerted endeavor. Somalia —whose economy was battered by years of deadly internal strife—is heavily reliant on international donors for support to budget expenditures. 

The four-point agreement covers blueprint for 2016 Electoral Process, Upper House, 2020 Roadmap, and implementation of the agreement signed between Mogadishu and Garowe, two parties pitted by long running disputes for years.  The two sides agreed to the legitimacy of 4.5, on which the selection of members of Lower and Upper House will be based later this year, while stressing that the traditional model will fade into disuse with the upcoming elections. 

Federal Member States and the national government will form an inclusive electoral board for 2016, according to the deal.

“The two parties agreed that the election shall take place in Garowe for the members of the federal parliament of the clans party to the formation of Puntland in 1998,” read the agreement witnessed by international community.  

Somalia Federal Government and Puntland endorsed that the elections for the Upper House seats representing Puntland for the federal parliament be held in Garowe, with Upper House to be preceded in accordance with the proposal introduced by the federal government.  

On 2020 roadmap, Somali political leaders reiterated their commitment to popular vote: “Under no circumstances shall the 4.5 clan based power sharing arrangement be used beyond the 2016 elections.” In a step to fairness and transparency, Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister, and Chairperson of IGAD Council of Ministers has been picked as guarantor for the implementation of the deal.  

--‘Somalia President applauds outcome’-- 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was quick to issue statement commending the Prime Minister and Puntland for jostling over national interests in Garowe talks.  

Mohamud, who was floored by the deal, gushed how Puntland reversed its stance on the electoral transition, in remarks released by his press secretary, Daud Aweis.  

Moreover, Mohamud thanked international partners, the public, traditional leaders, intellectuals, and civil society groups for their persistence and invaluable support towards Somalia.  

Mohamud’s reaction drew strong rebuke from Puntland President during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sharmarke.  

“I am very sorry to hear that the Federal Republic of Somalia President made a premature statement regarding Somalia Government-Puntland Government deal. 

[Remarks] amounted to deliberate move aimed at putting agreement in jeopardy,” seethed Ali. Somalia’s election model that was initially marred by political deadlock enjoys backing of donors.

GAROWEONLINE