Somalia: Puntland Commerce Ministry, Chamber at loggerheads on dissolution

GAROWE, Somalia Sept 9, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Puntland’s Minister of Commerce and Industries Mohamud Hassan So’adde has dissolved Chamber of commerce leadership on Tuesday, spawning new controversy over the legitimacy of the decision, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking on Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe Commerce Minister announced that the election of Chairman and his deputy will be held on November 10 after the deadline extension of current officials expired:”We have seen that it is a time to abide by the rule of law. Having seen the stubbornness of governing officials who are not ready to organize election”.

“I declare from now on, the heads of chamber of commerce aren’t in charge of day-to-day activities and new election will take place on 10^th of November,” So’adde noted.

Responding to the decision by Ministry of Commerce, the Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Saed Hussein Eid raised question over the legitimacy of dissolution.

“I ask myself from where the minister has come up with this kind of power? Rules and principles in place for the country have been left to them,” Eid went on.”President and members of the Board can dissolve the leadership of the chamber”.

Eid took office as interim chairman after former Commerce Chamber Boss Mohamud Hayir Ibrahim joined Federal Parliament in 2012. 

GAROWE ONLINE