Somalia: Federal parliament endorses controversial commissions

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 7, 2015 (Garowe Online)- Lawmakers in Somalia’s Federal Parliament Monday endorsed two key commissions as Puntland says it isn’t legally binding approval, Garowe Online reports.

Each commissioner in Independent National Electoral, and Boundary and Federalization Commissions was required to secure 94 votes of the 187 MPs present in the parliament hall.

All commission members got overwhelming endorsement in exercise of secret ballots.

“The Government of Puntland rejects the so-called illegal and illegitimate boundaries and federation commission, constituted currently without consultation as stipulated in article 111 of the Provisional Federal Constitution [PFC],” Puntland said in a press statement. “No deliberation or outcome from such body is binding to Puntland”.

Puntland strongly opposed the formation of Galmudug administration which claims the ownership of Mudug in a regional constitution approved by Adado delegates on June 17.

Continuing, Puntland noted: “The Government of Puntland strongly supports and will safeguard the principles of federalism in the federal Republic of Somalia and the working relations among and between federal member states as per article 50, section (c) of the provisional Federal Constitution (PFC)”.

On May 8, Council of Ministers passed three key commissions including Judicial Service committee.

GAROWE ONLINE